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Inversion in Conditional Sentences

This document discusses inversion in conditional sentences. It explains that inversion is used to reduce the probability of a condition being fulfilled or to make the sentence sound more formal. There are three types of conditional sentences discussed: 1) those using "if/should" to indicate decreasing probability, 2) those using "if/were" and "were/to" for decreasing probability and formality, and 3) those using "if/had" and "had" for probability and formality. Examples are provided for each type and a practice section provides sentences to transform using inversion.

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Agnieszka M. Złotkowska
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339 views2 pages

Inversion in Conditional Sentences

This document discusses inversion in conditional sentences. It explains that inversion is used to reduce the probability of a condition being fulfilled or to make the sentence sound more formal. There are three types of conditional sentences discussed: 1) those using "if/should" to indicate decreasing probability, 2) those using "if/were" and "were/to" for decreasing probability and formality, and 3) those using "if/had" and "had" for probability and formality. Examples are provided for each type and a practice section provides sentences to transform using inversion.

Uploaded by

Agnieszka M. Złotkowska
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Inversion in Conditional Sentences

We use inversion in the if-clause to reduce probability of fulfilling the condition or to give the
sentence a more official air.

Type 1

If I meet him, I will tell him the truth. (the most probable)
If I should meet him, I will tell him the truth. (less probable)
Should I meet him, I will tell him the truth. (the least probable)

Type 2

If I met him, I would tell him the truth. (the most probable if at all/ neutral)
If I were to meet him, I would tell him the truth. (less probable than the first/ more official)
Were I to meet him, I would tell him the truth. (the least probable of the three/ the most
official)

Type 3

If I had met him, I would have told him the truth. (the most probable/neutral)
Had I met him, I would have told him the truth. (less probable/ official)

Practice 1

Transform the sentences reducing probability or giving the sentence a more official air.

1. If I were you, I wouldn`t apply for the post of firefighter.


……………………………………………………………………………………….
2. If you go to the post office, could you buy me some stamps?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
3. If anyone rings, will you take a message?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. If you had turned off the oven sooner, our pizza wouldn`t have burnt.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
5. If I were younger, I`d accept his offer.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
6. If I cooked the soup, it would be delicious.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
7. If you had brought more money with you, we could have gone on holiday.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
8. If I did the job, the result would be perfect.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
9. If you get through to the theatre, could you book four tickets for tonight`s
performance?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
10. If you had paid the telephone bill on time, your phone wouldn`t have been cut off.
……………………………………………………………………………………….

Opracowała: mgr Agnieszka Złotkowska- Danilczuk


11. If you see John, please give him my best regards.
.........................................................................................................................................
12. If you were to earn a huge salary, what would you do with the money?
.........................................................................................................................................
13. If he hadn’t squandered all his savings, he wouldn’t be poor now.
.........................................................................................................................................
14. If she were to get wind of the situation, she would definitely be devastated.
.........................................................................................................................................
15. If you need assistance, please let us know.
.........................................................................................................................................
16. If he is accepted for the job, he will go out and celebrate.
.........................................................................................................................................
17. If I hadn’t chosen to learn English, I wouldn’t be doing this exercise right now.
.........................................................................................................................................
18. If it hadn’t been so strange, I would have remembered it.
.........................................................................................................................................
19. If I were in your shoes, I would tell her the truth.
.........................................................................................................................................
20. If he were promoted, his salary would double.
.........................................................................................................................................

Opracowała: mgr Agnieszka Złotkowska- Danilczuk

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