The present tense is used in the if-clause or conditional clause, and the future tense is used in the result clause.. In present time, the past tense is used in the if-clause and would,
Trang 1X 2 (he did not have to) See rule 1.
X 3 (he had not lost) See rule 3.
X 5 (that he had) See rule 1.
X 6 (he had not ignored) See
rule 3
X 7 (that I were earning) See
rule 2
X 8 (father did) See rule 1.
X 10 (she were still living) See
rule 2
CONDITIONALS
There are two kinds of conditions—real and unreal:
1 Real conditions are used for possible situations The present tense is used in the
if-clause (or conditional clause), and the future tense is used in the result clause.
If he comes
PRES.
to school, I will give
FUT.
him your message
(It is possible that he will come.)
2 Unreal conditions are used for impossible or unreal situations.
a In present time, the past tense is used in the if-clause and would, could, or
might 1 the simple verb (V) is used in the result clause.
If he studied
PAST
, he could get
COULD 1 V
good grades
(He doesn’t study.)
If he came
PAST
to school, I would give
WOULD 1 V
him your message
(He doesn’t come to school.)
b In past time, the past perfect is used in the if-clause, and would, could, or
might 1 have 1 the past participle are used in the result clause.
If he had come
PAST PERF.
to school, I would have given
WOULD 1 HAVE 1 PAST PART.
him your message
(He didn’t come to school.)
Summary
If 1 present future (result)
If 1 past would 1 V (result)
If 1 past perfect would 1 have 1 past part (result)
a In general, avoid using would in the if-clause.
b In present-time unreal if-clauses, the correct form of the verb to be for all
persons is were.
If he were rich, he would go to Europe to study.
If I were you, I would study harder.
Trang 2Error Examples
WRONG: If I will win the contest, I will buy a new car
RIGHT: If I win the contest, I will buy a new car.
WRONG: If you had lost your job, what would you do?
RIGHT: If you lost your job, what would you do?
OR
If you had lost your job, what would you have done?
WRONG: If I had been there, I would make a speech
RIGHT: If I were there, I would make a speech.
OR
If I had been there, I would have made a speech.
WRONG: If they had ask me, I would have given them my opinion
RIGHT: If they had asked me, I would have given them my opinion.
WRONG: If Bob had studied more, he would have pass the test
RIGHT: If Bob had studied more, he would have passed the test.
WRONG: If Jane had known it was supposed to rain, she would have took an umbrella
RIGHT: If Jane had known it was supposed to rain, she would have taken an umbrella.
WRONG: If I would have a degree from that university, I would get a good job
RIGHT: If I had a degree from that university, I would get a good job.
WRONG: If he would have been on time, we would have asked him to the party
RIGHT: If he had been on time, we would have asked him to the party.
Skill Builder 5: Conditionals
Directions: Write a “C” on the line if the sentence is correct Write an “X” on the line if
there is an error in the use of the conditional
1 If he had not tried to jump over the stream, he would not break his leg.
2 If he would be taller, he would be a good basketball player.
3 If my apartment would be larger, I would not have to move.
4 If he was ready, we would begin the lesson.
5 If classes had finished sooner, I would go to Canada last month.
6 If Betty would have driven more carefully, she would not have had that accident.
7 If I will finish studying, I will go to the movies with you.
Trang 311 If I had seen him, I would have reminded him about his appointment.
12 If you will take a trip this summer, where will you go?
13 If Bob had received his check on time, he had certainly bought a new suit.
14 If she were the only person available, we would have to hire her.
15 If she had told me that she did not have enough money, I would pay for her trip
last summer
Answers
X 1 (he would not have broken)
See rule 2 See also Verbs—
Past Participles, page 81.
X 2 (If he were taller) See
rule 2b
X 3 (If my apartment were
larger) See rule 2b
X 4 (If he were ready) See
rule 2b
X 5 (I would have gone) See rule 2.
X 6 (If Betty had driven) See
rule 2b
X 7 (If I finish) See rule 1.
X 9 (he would not have lost) See
rule 2
X 10 (I would have seen him) See
rule 2 See also Verbs—Past Participles, page 81.
X 12 (If you take) See rule 1.
X 13 (he would certainly have
bought) See rule 2a.
X 15 (I would have paid) See rule 2b.
MODALS
1 After all modals, use the simple form of the verb (V) The following is a list of modals:
might would shall
They can walk
MODAL 1 V
five miles without getting tired
They could walk
MODAL 1 V
five miles without getting tired
2 Use the past participle after the modal 1 have.
Mr and Mrs Smith might have enjoyed
MODAL 1 HAVE 1 PAST PART.
the party
He should have sent
MODAL 1 HAVE 1 PAST PART.
in his application earlier
We should not have eaten
MODAL 1 HAVE 1 PAST PART.
such a big dinner
Trang 43 When you change direct speech to indirect speech, could, would, should, and might do
not change form
“You should always do your
home-work.”
The teacher said that I should always
do my homework.
4 Use must have 1 past participle for past conclusion only.
The ground is wet; it must have rained (conclusion)
5 Use had 1 infinitive for past obligation.
I had to go to the dentist yesterday (obligation)
Error Examples
WRONG: Beth must to take the bus yesterday because her car was being repaired
RIGHT: Beth had to take the bus yesterday because her car was being repaired.
WRONG: We must to water our plants regularly
RIGHT: We must water our plants regularly.
WRONG: They could walked to school because it was close
RIGHT: They could walk to school because it was close.
WRONG: The show will have begin by the time we arrive
RIGHT: The show will have begun by the time we arrive.
WRONG: John said that he might have gone to Harvard next year
RIGHT: John said that he might go to Harvard next year.
Skill Builder 6: Modals
Directions: Write a “C” on the line if the sentence is correct Write an “X” on the line if
there is an error in the modals
1 My brother has to walk ten miles to buy some gas last weekend.
2 There is no one outside the theater; the performance must have been cancelled.
3 They must to sign up for that class by this Friday.
4 We would have went to Florida, but it was having an unusual cold spell.
5 Mrs Jones told me that she might have baked a cake for my birthday tomorrow
if she has time
6 Susan said she might leave before dinner.
7 They might go to the store a few minutes ago.
Trang 5X 1 (had to walk) See rule 5.
X 3 (must sign up) See rule 1.
X 4 (would have gone) See rule 2.
See also Verbs—Past
Parti-ciples, page 81.
X 5 (might bake) See rule 3.
X 7 (might have gone) See rule 2.
X 8 (I had to call) See rule 4.
X 9 (should not have made) See
rule 1
VERBALS
1 The following verbs can be followed by the infinitive (to 1 V) as the direct object:
deserve intend pretend
Mr Smith and Mr Parker deserve to be
TO 1 V
promoted
They decided to leave
TO 1 V
early
The secretary offered to come
TO 1 V
in early
He hopes to see
TO 1 V
them again
2 The following verbs can be followed by the gerund (V 1 ing) as the direct object:
appreciate enjoy practice
cannot help keep suggest
consider
She enjoyed meeting
V 1 ING
them
I have never considered quitting
V 1 ING
my job
He finishes studying
V 1 ING
every evening at ten
He admitted committing
V 1 ING
the crime
Trang 63 The following verb phrases (verb 1 preposition) can be followed by the gerund (V 1
ing) Remember that gerunds, not infinitives, follow prepositions in general and not just the prepositions in this list See also Style—Prepositions in Combinations,
page 167
be accustomed to decide on plan on
be interested in get through put off
be used to look forward to think of
She was not used to living
PREP 1 V 1 ING
in a dormitory
He kept on driving
PREP 1 V 1 ING
even though he was tired
He has been looking forward to meeting
PREP 1 V 1 ING
you
4 Use the simple form of the verb (V) after the causative verbs let, make, and have when
the second verb is active
He made the children look
V
both ways before crossing the street
The teacher let him leave
V
early
The teacher had the class begin
V
to write a composition when the bell rang
Use a past participle after the causative verbs have and get when the second verb is
passive in meaning
She had her passport stamped
PAST PART.
at the immigration office
They got their house painted
PAST PART.
last summer
5 The following verbs of perception are followed by the simple form of the verb (V) or the present participle (V 1 ing):
notice watch observe
I heard the baby cry.
V
OR I heard the baby crying
V 1 ING
Jane observed him leave
V
OR Jane observed him leaving
V 1 ING
Trang 7
Error Examples
WRONG: The professor forbids the students leaving early
RIGHT: The professor forbids the students to leave early.
WRONG: She could not help to laugh at his foolishness
RIGHT: She could not help laughing at his foolishness.
WRONG: I am opposed to go to war
RIGHT: I am opposed to going to war.
WRONG: Do not let those children to eat a lot of candy
RIGHT: Do not let those children eat a lot of candy.
WRONG: I was surprised to see a person to cry at that movie
RIGHT: I was surprised to see a person cry at that movie.
OR
I was surprised to see a person crying at that movie.
WRONG: She had her phone hook up when she returned from abroad
RIGHT: She had her phone hooked up when she returned from abroad.
WRONG: He had his annual chest X-ray taking yesterday
RIGHT: He had his annual chest X-ray taken yesterday.
Skill Builder 7: Verbals
Directions: Write a “C” on the line if the sentence is correct Write an “X” on the line if
there is an error with the verbal (infinitive, gerund, simple verb, or participle) that
follows the main verb
1 Blocks from the stadium, we could hear the people to cheer.
2 Do you think you might enjoy living in a small town?
3 I always make the children to pick up their toys.
4 The official offered to help me get my papers in order.
5 I had the paperboy stop delivering papers for the month of July.
6 Since you need more money, you should not stop to try to find a better job.
7 He was not used to making decisions by himself.
8 Jane had her blood pressure taking recently.
9 What made the student decide leaving early?
10 I am looking forward to see you again soon.
11 What do you think of our having a party to celebrate?
12 She had her shoes dyed to match her dress.
13 She could not help noticing the man to cry.
14 One should avoid eating a heavy meal late in the evening.