Conditional Linkers and Inverted Conditionals

Reference

Common mistakes

1. Take a jumper in case it will be cold. → Take a jumper in case it is cold.
   in case + present
2. Hadn't I seen it, I wouldn't believe it. → Had I not seen it, I wouldn't have believed it.
   inverted negative → had I not
3. Should you will need anything, ask. → Should you need anything, ask.
   should + infinitive
4. Supposing you would win, what would you buy? → Supposing you won, what would you buy?
   supposing + past for imagined

Conditional Linkers and Inverted Conditionals — Exercises

Choose the correct form

Circle the correct answer.

1. Write down the number _____ you forget it. (in case / if / provided)
2. You can come _____ you don't tell anyone. (provided / in case / supposing)
3. _____ you won the lottery, what would you do first? (Supposing / Provided / In case)
4. _____ you require assistance, please ask at reception. (Should / Would / Were)
5. _____ he to resign, the company would be in trouble. (Were / Should / Had)
6. _____ we left earlier, we would have caught the train. (Had / Should / Were)
7. _____ not been for the map, we'd have got lost. (Had it / Were it / Should it)
8. They lent us the flat on _____ that we looked after the cat. (condition / case / provided)

Rewrite the condition

Complete the second sentence so it means the same. Use the word in capitals.

1. If you need help, call me. (SHOULD) →   help, call me.
2. If it hadn't been for the rain, we'd have won. (HAD) →   the rain, we'd have won.
3. You can go only if you call me. (PROVIDED) → You can go   call me.
4. If she were to apply, she'd get the job. (WERE) →   apply, she'd get the job.
5. Take water because you might get thirsty. (CASE) → Take water   thirsty.
6. If I had known, I would have helped. (HAD) →   , I would have helped.

Conditional Linkers and Inverted Conditionals — Answer Key

Choose the correct form

1. in case — A precaution → in case.
2. provided — A strict condition → provided.
3. Supposing — An imagined situation → Supposing.
4. Should — Formal type 1 → Should you require.
5. Were — Formal type 2 → Were he to resign.
6. Had — Formal type 3 → Had we left.
7. Had it — Past → Had it not been for.
8. condition — on condition that.

Rewrite the condition

1. Should you need
2. Had it not been for
3. provided that you
4. Were she to
5. in case you get
6. Had I known