3.8 Grammar back up

Conditionals

PRACTICE

Ask yourself these questions when checking real present or future conditionals:

1. When do we use this structure?

Basic form:

if + present simple + will + infinitive without to

(This structure is often called the ’first conditional’.)

We use this structure to talk about possible present or future situations.

If both sides pledge to respect human rights, the treaty will be signed.

If he has more rights, he will be authorised to sign documents.

If the CEO offers you the job of a chief accountant, what will you do?

2. Can we use modal verbs instead of will?

We can use modal verbs can, may instead of will in the main clause.

If Mr. Mint is not made a Director, he can easily be tempted away by another firm.

If he tries to make things go his way, the rival may want to strengthen their position.

3. Can we use the imperative in the main clause?

Yes, we can use the imperative in the main clause.

If it is necessary, reduce personnel.

If sales go down, cut down purchases.

4. Can we use other tenses instead of the present simple in the if-clause?

We can use the present perfect or present continuous instead of present simple in the if-clause.

If he has bought 250 shares in the company, he will postpone the possibility of a takeover.

I’ll come back later if you’re working at budgetary control now.

5. Can we use other words instead of if in conditional clauses?

a. We can use unless to mean ‘if...not’.

I won’t attend the Board meeting unless you go to.

(= ... if you do not go to)

We often use unless in threats and warnings.

Unless you draft suitable minutes about these proposals, I won’t continue.

b. We can use ‘should’ instead of ‘if’ when we are less sure about a possibility. Compare:

If we have enough time, we’ll discuss the outline of your proposals.	Should we have enough time, we’ll discuss the outline of your proposals.
(Perhaps we will have enough time)	(I am less sure that we will have enough time)

We can also use should after if with this meaning.

If we should have enough time, we’ll discuss the outline of your proposals.

c. We use as/so long as and provided/providing (that) to mean ‘if but only if’.

We can do the accounts more often as long as it allows us to keep a close enough control. (=...if but only if it allows us to keep a close enough control)

The other delegates will support the idea provided the Chairman supports it too. (=...if but only if the Chairman supports it too)

Exercise 1. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form: will/won’t or the present simple.

Model: When a government violates (to violate) the human rights of its residents they will probably be able (to be) to appeal to the country’s laws or bill of rights.

1. If we ______ (not to be) all equally entitled to our human rights discrimination ______ (to appear).

2. The right to liberty ____ (to be) restricted if a person ____ (to be found) guilty of a crime by a court of law.

3. If the banks _______ (not to offer) services, they _____ (not to gain) profit.

4. If payment ____ (not to effect) yet, the customer ____ (to require) to do so immediately taking all care to avoid duplication.

5. We ______ (to speak) about the human rights if you _____ (not to want) to do it now.

6. If your ______ (to be) ready we ______ (to talk) about civil and political rights, and economic, social and cultural rights.

7. If you _______ (to deprive) one right it adversely ______(to affect) the others.

8. We ______ (to appreciate) your urgent assistance highly, if you _______ (to investigate) this matter promptly.

9. If you ________ (to need to raise) the large amount of money you ______ (to apply) to a bank or some other financial institutions.

10. If he _____ (to be made) a counsellor, his advice _____ (to be invaluable) for all the staff.

Exercise 2. If the underlined word or words are used incorrectly, make correction.

1. If my rights will be broken I’ll apply to the European Court of Human Rights.

2. If we give them more time, perhaps they would make up their minds.

3. If we are entitled our human rights, we should also respect the human rights of others

4. We would sign a contract with this company if they give us a good discount.

5. I’d like to stress that it is necessary to protect fundamental international human rights if the nation will want to be a democratic country.

6. If you want to know more about your rights we enclose newsletters and brochures to read.

7. I’m sorry to say it is not acceptable to us. You have quoted a very high price. Providing you doesn’t offer a more reasonable price, we’ll have to find another partner.

8. If you would be interested in knowing more about human rights, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights will help you in this case.

9. Every person is entitled to certain fundamental rights if he / she is a human.

10. We should dispatch you goods, provided certain conditions are fulfilled.

11. If you watch documentary film The Story of Human Rights, you will know about the dramatic story of their history and development from earliest times to the present day.

12. People couldn’t withstand cultural diversity and national sovereignty if they ignore the idea of human rights

Exercise 3. Find a mistake if any and give the right variant.

1. At the international level, human rights norms exists as long as treaties that have

A B C

turned them into international law.

D

2. Such an ambitious young man like Mr.Bradd will easily be tempted away by

A B

another firm if ABC Ltd. do not make it worth his while to stay.

С D

3. They will pay the bonus provide the job is completed on time.

A B C D

4. Even if people are born with God-given natural rights, we need explain how get

A B C

from those general and abstract rights to the specific rights found in contemporary

D

declarations and treaties.

5. In the US, Switzerland and Australia the powers of the regional governments is

A B

those that remain after the powers of the central government have been enumerated

C D

in the constitution.

6. Although not explicitly mention in the U.S. Constitution, a right to privacy has

A B

been held to be implicit in the Bill of Rights, providing protection from

C D

unwarranted government intrusion into areas such as marriage.

7. She is a miserable creature; she’s going to leave home as soon as she will be old

A B C D

enough.

8. As far as I know human rights refer to a wide variety of values and capabilities

A B

reflecting the diversity of human circumstances and history.

C D

9. Providing that we get up early, we reach the place of destination in time.

A B C D

Exercise 4. Translate into English.

1. Если вы прочтете этот документ внимательно, вы поймете, о чем идет речь на переговорах.

2. Любая классификация прав человека в известной степени будет условна, если мы примем во внимание тот факт, что некоторые права с примерно равными основаниями могут быть отнесены к разным видам и должны охватывать друг друга.

3. Если Вы захотите, чтобы мы расследовали этот вопрос быстрее, сообщите нам дату отправленного письма как можно скорее.

4. Пожалуйста, разрешите нам обратиться с просьбой получить доступ ко всем документам как можно скорее, если Вы хотите, чтобы мы разрешили эту проблему без задержки.

5. Мы сможем распорядиться фондами при условии, что Вы предоставите нам полную свободу действий.

6. Если фотокопия Билля о правах человека не может быть получена, пожалуйста, свяжитесь с отправителем еще раз.

7. Если компания неожиданно понесет крупные убытки, мы должны будем действовать быстро.

8. Политические права и свободы будут отличаются от личных, социальных, экономических и других прав, тем, что как правило, они тесно связаны с принадлежностью к гражданству данного государства.

9. Если они обсудят все важные вопросы на ближайшем заседании Совета, их представитель сможет огласить коммюнике уже в среду.

10. Он собирается открыть школу для детей с ограниченными возможностями как только подпишет все необходимые документы.

PRACTICE WITH UNREAL PRESENT OR FUTURE CONDITIONALS

Ask yourself these questions when checking unreal present or future conditionals:

1. When do we use this structure?

Basic form:

if + past simple + would + infinitive without to