Time clauses

When can be used instead of if, but only if it is certain that something will happen:
• When he arrives, I'll thank him. (I know he's coming.)
Do not use will after when, after, before, as soon as, until, till and while. When they are used to refer
to a real future action, they take the same structure as the First Conditional. The Present Perfect can
sometimes be used after them:
• I’ll wait here until the doctor arrives/ has arrived.

Join each pair of sentences to make one sentence, using when, after, before, as soon as, until, or
while. EXAMPLE: They will arrive soon. I want to finish this work first.
I want to finish this work before they arrive.
1 You'll leave Athens soon. You must visit the Parthenon first.
2 He'll come home. He’ll get his supper then.
3 You'll be on holiday. I'll water your plants for you.
4 The programme will finish soon. I'll switch off the television immediately.
5 I'll go on applying for jobs. One day I'll get one.
6 I'll have a shower. Then I'll cook the dinner.

Conditionals
The Zero Conditional is used for a situation which is always true:
• If water is colder than 0° Celsius, it freezes.
The First Conditional is used for a possible future action which depends on another action:
• If All works hard, he'll pass the exam.
• We'll get there on time if we leave now.
Remember - unless means if not. Do not use will after if.

Write First or Zero Conditional sentences.

1. If/ the sun / shine /we/ go/ for a walk.
2. People / can / not / ski / in the Alps /if/ there /be/ no snow.
3. Unless Isabelle / run / she / not catch / the bus.
4. You / be able to / drive my car / if you / pass / your driving test.
5. Unless you /go/ to bed early / you / be / tired tomorrow.
6. Ice always / melt / if the air temperature / be / warm enough.
7. I / not / sign / the contract / unless / you / agree / to it.
8. If you / have / time / you / be able to / visit the exhibition.
PUT IN IF OR UNLESS
They won’t survive _________ they have water. They will fight _________ they don’t have rules.
You can’t be fit _________ you don’t do any sport Greg can’t see _________ he wears glasses.

Complete these sentences. Begin with UNLESS

_________________________________________, you can’t get a job as an interpreter.
_________________________________________, you will not be allowed to enter that country.
_________________________________________, the shop will not accept your cheque.
_________________________________________, inflation will get out of control.
_________________________________________, that wall is likely to collapse.
Re-write these sentences using UNLESS
Example: If you haven’t passed the test, we cannot consider your application.
We can’t consider your application unless you’ve passed the test.
1. If you are not a member, you cannot come in.
2. You will lose a day’s pay if you don’t produce a medical certificate.
3. There will be more accidents if traffic lights are not installed.
4. If we don’t replace these old windows, we will freeze next winter.
5. If he isn’t caught quickly, he will commit more crimes.
 FIRST CONDITIONAL AND TIME CLAUSES

Jack and Annie are tired of English weather. So they're moving to Spain to live in the sun and grow
lemons. Their friend David thinks they're crazy. Complete the conversation with these verbs.

'll only know, will you do (2x), 'll have, 'll regret, don't like (2x), won't earn, won't need

D: You're both mad. I think you ………………. It. You were earning good money here. You
………………………. Much growing lemons.
J: We know that. But we ………………………………… a lot of money to live there.
D: But what ……………………………… if you can't find anywhere to live?
A: There are lots of cheap, old farms. We …………………………………… no trouble finding
somewhere.
D: But you don't even like gardening. What ………………………………. If you
…………………………. Farming either?
J: We …………………… if we ……………………….farming when you try it.
Complete the second part of the conversation with the verbs in brackets in the appropriate form.
D: Will you keep in touch with friends?
A: Of course we will. When we ………………………………………….. (get) there, we
………………………………. (give) you a call.
D: And how will I contact you?
J: Well, as soon as we …………………………………….. (find) a place to live, we
………………………………… (send) you our address.
D: I can always email you.
J: Yes, email's brilliant for keeping in touch, but you ……………………………………….. (have to)
wait until we ……………………………………… (set up) our computers.
A: And David, I promise, you ……………………………………….. (be) our first guest when we
……………………………… (move) into our new home.
D: Excellent! I'll look forward to that.

ANOTHER BUSY DAY

Put IF, AS SOON AS, BEFORE into each gap. Put the verbs into the correct form.

David: Bye, darling. Good luck with the interview!

Sue: Thanks! I’ll need it I hope the trains are running on time. __________ I ……………………….
(be) late for the interview, I …………………………….. (be) furious with myself!
David: Just stay calm! Call me when you can.
Sue: I will. I ………………………………….. (call) you on my mobile _________ I
…………………………. (get) out of the interview.
David: When ……………………….. you ………………………… (know) ______________ you’ve
got the job?
Sue: They ………………………………. (tell) me in the next few days. _____________ they
…………………….. (offer) me the job, I …………………………………. (accept) it. You know that,
don’t you?
David: Of course. But we’ll worry about that later.
Sue: OK: Are you going to work now?
David: Well, I ……………………………… (take) the children to school ____________ I
……………………………. (go) to work.
Sue: Don’t forget to pick them up ______________ you …………………………….. (finish).
D: Don’t worry, I won’t forget. You’d better get going. ______________ you
……………………………. (not hurry), you ……………………………… (miss) the train.
Sue: OK. I ………………………………. (see) you this evening. Bye!
The Second Conditional is used for an imaginary situation, where the meaning is in the present:
• If I had more money, I would (I'd) buy a car. (I haven't got enough money at the moment.)
It can also be used for a remote possibility in the future:
• If I won the competition. I'd go on a world cruise.
and for giving advice: • If I were you, I'd stay at home. (were is usually preferred to was in this case)

I. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first one. Use between two
and five words, including the word given. Do not change the word given.
1. I might win ₤1000, and then I'd travel to Australia. IF
I'd travel to Australia _______________________ ₤1000.
2. Our heating isn't working and I feel cold. WOULDN'T
If our heating ___________________________ so cold.
3. Hans should give up smoking to improve his health. WOULD
If Hans _________________________ improve his health.
4. Maybe I could go to Arizona and visit Joe. WENT
If I _________________________________ visit Joe.
5. I don't speak Spanish well enough to work in Mexico. BETTER
If I ______________________________ work in Mexico.
II. FINISH THESE SENTENCES
1. If animals could speak 4. If everyone forgot how to read
2. If there was no daylight 5. If we lived forever
3. If cars ran on milk 6. If stones were used as money
III. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form
1. Of course I'm not going to give her a diamond ring. If I _______________ (give) her a diamond ring,
she _______________ (sell) it.
2. You must never blow out a gas light. Do you know what _______________ (happen) if you
_______________ (blow) out a gas light?
3. If someone _______________ (ring) the bell at 3 a.m., I _______________ (be) very unwilling to
open the door.
4. If the Earth suddenly . _______________ (stop) spinning, we _______________ (all fly) off it.

IV. Rewrite these sentences, using an IF construction.

1. She is very shy; that's why she doesn't enjoy parties.
2. He doesn't take any exercise; that's why he is so unhealthy.
3. The shops don't deliver now, which makes life difficult.
4. He doesn't help me, possibly because I never ask him for help.
5. We have no ladder so we can't get over the wall.
6. He doesn't pay his staff properly; perhaps that's why they don't do well.
7. I live a long way from the centre; that's why I am always late for work.
8. People drive very fast. That's why there are so many accidents.
9. We haven't got central heating, so the house is rather cold.
10. English people speak very quickly. Perhaps that's why I can't understand them.

V. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form. (1 &2)

1. If Hilary arrives late she (miss) _____ the start of the film.
2. I wouldn't marry him if he (be) _____ the last man on earth!
3. If she (take) _____ the next flight she would be there on time.
4. The car will overheat if you (drive) _____ it too fast.
5. If Mike goes to Paris this weekend, he (leave) _____ the dog at the kennels.
6. I'd go to the theatre every night if I (live) _____ in London.
7. Henry will never improve if he (not practise) ___________________.
8. If I had a million dollars I (spend) _____ it all on ice-cream.
MIXED TYPES - 1st and 2nd CONDITIONAL - The choice depends on the degree of probability.

VI. MATCH THE TWO HALVES OF THE SENTENCES

1. If the rent goes up,  I would feel guilty.
2. If we don’t repair it now,  I would invest the money in shares.
3. If she doesn’t qualify as a doctor,  Martin would repay the loan.
4. If you don’t hurry up,  the horses will become exhausted.
5. If we refused to obey these orders,  John will leave this flat.
6. If he had the money,  we’ll leave without you.
7. If you don’t let them rest,  birds would eat the fruit on the tree.
8. If I had $ 100,000,  what would happen to us?
9. If we didn’t protect it,  what job will Sarah do?
10. If I lied to Terry,  the roof will leak next winter.

VII. (time, 1, 2) COMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH VERBS IN THE CORRECT FORM
1. French is essential in this job. All the telephonists speak it. If they ____________ (not know)
French, they ____________ (not understand) half the callers.
2. I can hear the speaker all right but I wish I could see him too. If he ____________ (stand) on a
chair, we ____________ all ____________ (see) him too.
3. The only thing I haven't got is the balcony. If I ____________ (have) a balcony I
____________ (grow) plants in pots. Then my flat ____________be)perfect!
4. They (stop) ____________ for the night when they (get) ___________________ to the first village.
5. If my sister (become) ________________ an astronaut. she (have to) _______________ live abroad.
6. My mom (help) _________________ me with my essay if she (come) __________ home in time. She’s
almost never late.
7. If our president (visit) _____ my parents, they (offer) _______ him some good brandy my father made.
8. Paul (go) ___________ to the cinema with his girlfriend tomorrow evening if there (be) __________ a good
film on.
9. If I (be) _____________ late for the bus, I usually (hitchhike) ________________.

VIII. COMPLETE BY USING THE VERBS BELOW IN THE CORRECT TENSE

arrive, be 2x, become, faint, feel, find, go, grow, have, ignore, pay, phone, put, resign, speak 2x, wear
1. If the weather ____________ good tomorrow, we ____________ to the beach.
2. Look at those shoes! I ____________ high heels if I ____________ that tall.
3. Kate and Andy are always late. If they actually ____________ at the party on time, everyone
____________ with shock.
4. Everyone knows that most plants ____________ better if you ____________ them in sunlight.
5. If people ____________ rudely to me, I ____________ them.
6. If my boss ____________ to me like that again, I ____________ from the job.
7. Jane’s not suited to teaching. She ____________ it easier to deal with those children if she
____________ more patience.
8. It’s a well-known fact that animals ____________ aggressive if they ____________ threatened.
9. Our landlord never leaves us alone. If we _______ the rent on time, he _____ us every five minutes.
IX. COMPLETE EACH SENTENCE SO THAT IT MEANS THE SAME AS THE SENTENCE
PRINTED BEFORE IT
1. She won’t win the election, if we don’t help.- Unless __________________________________
2. Unless we change the rule she’ll leave.- If ____________________________________
3. We couldn’t live there without water.- Unless ____________________________________
4. I wouldn’t help her if she didn’t change.- Unless ___________________________
5. Finish your homework. You can’t watch the match until you do!- Unless __________________
6. You can go out. But make sure you’re back by eleven.- If ___________________________
7. I wouldn’t go without a ticket.- Unless ____________________________________
8. Work hard, or you won’t get anywhere in life.- If ____________________________________
X. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tenses.
1. If I _______________ (find) a skeleton in the cellar, I’d be terrified.
2. If you pass your examination we _______________ (have) a celebration.
3. What _______________ (happen) if I press this button?
4. If you go to Paris, where _______________ (you stay)?
5. If someone offered to buy you one of those rings, which _______________ (you choose)?
6. The flight may be cancelled if the fog _______________ (get) thick.
7. If the milkman _______________ (come), tell him to leave two pints.
8. Someone _______________ (sit) on your glasses if you leave them there.
9. You would play better bridge if you _______________ (not talk) so much.
10. What _______________ (I do) if I hear the burglar alarm?
11. Unless they turn that radio off, I _______________ (go) mad.
12. If you were made redundant, what _______________ (you do)?
13. We'll have a long way to walk if we _______________ (run) out of petrol here.
14. If you shake that bottle of port, it _______________ (not be) fit to drink.
15. I'll probably get lost unless he _______________ (come) with me.
16. You _______________ (not have) so many accidents if you drove more slowly.
17. I _______________ (not buy) things on the installment system if I were you.
18. Dial 999 if you _______________ (want) Police, Ambulance, or Fire Brigade.
19. You _______________ (not be) any use to me unless you learn to type.
XI. Finish these sentences, taking care to use the correct tenses,
1. We'll send for the doctor if ... 8. If your uncle sees you . . .
2. If she practised more . . . 9. If you tried to climb it without a guide . . .
3. If there isn't enough wine in that bottle . . . 10. If you didn't shake the camera so much, your
4. If these gates are locked . . . photographs .
5. If we leave before breakfast. . . 11. If you leave the gate open . . .
6. If the river rises any higher . . . 12. You will have to go to the dentist if ...
7. If the storm becomes worse . . . 13. If Tom rings while I’m out ....

XII. WRITE AN IF CLAUSE FOR EACH OF THE SITUATIONS

1. I’d like to climb the tree, but I’m afraid to fall.
________________________________________________________________________________
2. Sally’s going to eat another cake; I think she’ll be sick.
________________________________________________________________________________
3. Shall we go to the seaside tomorrow?- Oh, yes. But perhaps it’ll rain; we’ll stay at home then.
________________________________________________________________________________
4. Show me how to do it!- I can’t, I don’t know how.
________________________________________________________________________________
5. I like this dress very much.- Why don’t you buy it?- It costs too much. (It’s too expensive.)
________________________________________________________________________________
6. Will you go out with me?- I’d love to but I haven’t got much time.
________________________________________________________________________________
7. Why don’t you come on holiday with us - you’ll enjoy it.
________________________________________________________________________________
8. I can’t go on holiday because I’ve got a holiday job this summer.
________________________________________________________________________________
9. You’ll get sunburnt by sunbathing all day long.
________________________________________________________________________________
10. Go to Britain and you’ll be able to speak English all day long.
________________________________________________________________________________
11. My family own a holiday flat and that’s why we always go to the same place.
________________________________________________________________________________
These weather patterns will keep happening. If climate change continues,
they will get more severe.

XIII. TRANSLATE
1. Če se bi moji starši ločili, se bi čutil krivega. - If my parents divorced,…
2. Kosilo bom pripravil, ko se bodo starši vrnili z dela. –
3. Če ne boste pozorno poslušali/ prebrali navodil, ne boste uspeli pravilno rešiti naloge.
4. Če bi izgubil potni list, bi šel na policijo. -

XIV. HERE IS A DIALOGUE TAKEN FROM A PHONE IN RADIO PROGRAMME

READ IT AND DO THE EXERCISE WHICH FOLLOWS
Now I have Ann on the line. Hello, Ann. What Hello. Um. I’m engaged to be married. The
can I do for you? wedding’s in four weeks, but I’m really worried
about it.
Can you tell me why you’re worried, Ann? Um, yes. We’re saving money to buy a house.
Mick, my boyfriend, stays at home every evening,
but I like going out, and if he phones when I’m
out, he gets very upset.
Does he often phone and find that you’re out? Yes... and he thinks I should stay in and save my
money, but I find that difficult. If I stayed in
every night, I’d go mad.
Have you talked to mick about this? or is that Oh, I’ve tried. He won’t listen. He says I’m
difficult too? selfish. he thinks I should stay in all the time, like
him. What will it be like after we’re married?
Well, Ann, I know you’ve made arrangements, Oh, I couldn’t do that! If I postponed it, my
but if you get married now, you’ll have problems, parents and friends would be really disappointed!
believe me. You need to talk to each other more. Perhaps I should just stay in more; if only I was
If I were you, I’d talk to Mick seriously first. He happy to stay at home, it would be all right.
may not want to, but if he refuses to listen,
postpone the wedding for a while.
No, it wouldn’t be all right! Believe me Ann,
that’s not the real problem. If marriages start
badly, they go on badly....
1. If he ___________________ when I’m out, he ____________________ very upset.
2. If I ________________ in every night, I ________________ mad.
3. If you ________________ married now, you ________________ problems.
4. If I ________________ you, I ________________ to Mick seriously first.
5. If he ________________ to listen, ________________ the wedding for a while.
6. If I ________________ it, my family and friends ________________ really disappointed.
7. If only I ________________ happy to stay at home, it ________________ all right.
8. If marriages ________________ badly, they ________________ badly.
XV. COMPLETE THE CHART USING THE SENTENCES FROM THE PREVIOUS
EXERCISE
something: sentence number present + present present + will past + would
which cannot be true 4 7 
likely to happen
unlikely to happen
generally true or which
often happens
There’s something different about sentence 5. What? Why?