English Lessons and Exercises
Conditionals - if Clauses - Inversion
Omitting if - The First Conditionals
In If Clauses Type 1, we can make inversion by omitting if.
We only use "should" instead of "if". We don't change anything in the form of first conditionals at all. Nothing
changes in meaning.
Example Sentences:
•
If we go by train, it will be cheaper.
Should we go by train, it will be cheaper.
•
If he doesn’t hurry, he will be late. (NEGATIVE)
Should he not hurry, he will be late.
•
If the weather is rainy, we will stay at home.
Should the weather be rainy, we will stay at home.
•
If she goes to The USA, she can improve her English.
Should she go to The USA, she can improve her English.
Omitting if - The Second Conditionals
In this type of inversion, we omit if and use were + subject for to be verb and were + subject + to for other
verbs.
Example Sentences:
•
If I were a carpenter, I would build my own house.
Were I a carpenter, I would build my own house.
•
If I had a map I would lend it to you.
Were I to have a map I would lend it to you.
•
If he didn’t study more, he wouldn’t pass the exam.
Were he not to study more, he wouldn’t pass the exam.
(NEGATIVE)
•
if I were the President, I would lower taxes.
Were I the president, I would lower taxes.
Omitting if - The Third Conditionals
We don't use if and make the structure as “Had + Subject + verb3”
•
If you had told me, I could have helped you.
Had you told me, I could have helped you.
•
If the teacher had helped me, I wouldn’t have had to go the library.
Had the teacher helped me, I wouldn’t have had to go the library.
•
If they had informed me before, they wouldn’t have still been waiting there.
Had they informed me before, they wouldn’t have still been waiting there.
•
If I hadn’t got up early this morning, I would have slept more. (NEGATIVE)
Had I not got up early this morning, I would have slept more.
Hadn't I got up early...