English Unlimited HTL 2, Schulbuch mit Audio-CD und CD-ROM

143 Grammar reference and practice Unit 7 Real and unreal conditionals Unit 8 Future plans and arrangements You use real conditionals when you feel that the situation in the if -part of the sentence is real or possible (see Grammar reference for Unit 5, p. 141). If I see Jeff tomorrow, I ’ll give him your phone number. You can use unreal conditionals to talk about situations which are imaginary and probably won’t happen. Real situation Not many people drive electric cars. I don’t have a lot of money. Imaginary situation If everyone drove electric cars, the air would be cleaner. If I had a lot of money, I ’d buy a big house in the country. These sentences use past verbs ( drove , had , etc.), but they are not about the past. They’re about the present or the future. be going to and the present progressive You can use be going to to talk about people’s personal ideas and plans for the future. I ’m going to have a day off training tomorrow. He ’s going to tour with his own band next year. You can use the present progressive to talk about future arrangements that have been made with other people or with organisations (companies, schools, airlines, clubs, … ). I ’m meeting Leonardo Barreiros at 2 pm tomorrow afternoon. We ’re going to Greece in May. Sometimes the difference between be going to and the present progressive is important. I’m going to get married next week. (it’s not just my idea) I ’m getting married next week. (it’s an arrangement with someone else) But often the difference is very small. I ’m going to visit my sister next month. (it’s my plan … ) I ’m visiting my sister next month. ( … and I’ve arranged it with my sister) Present simple You use the present simple for fixed events in the future: timetables (bus, train, etc.) and schedules (flights, classes, etc.). My flight leaves at 3.45 tomorrow afternoon. Tonight’s class starts at 7.00 and ends at 8.30. am / is / are You can also talk about the future in simple sentences with am / is / are and – adjectives like free, busy, home, away, back. I ’m away next week . – expressions with in, on, at, etc. I ’m at a conference . You usually use time expressions with all the above forms. For example: tomorrow afternoon, at 7.00, next month … MEANING MEANING Real conditionals See Grammar reference for Unit 5, p. 141. Unreal conditionals If + past simple, would + infinitive If everyone drove electric cars, the air would be cleaner. If everyone drove electric cars, the air wouldn’t be so polluted. You can change the order of the clauses. When the if -clause comes second, you don’t need a comma. would + infinitive if + past simple The air would be cleaner if everyone drove electric cars. The air wouldn’t be so polluted if everyone drove electric cars. In unreal conditionals, you can use was or were after I , he , she or it . If it was / were warmer, we’d have the party in our garden. If I was / were a university student, I’d study business or law. FORM 5 I walking in the mountains if I work tomorrow. (go, not have to) 6 It easier to pay our bills if we internet banking. (be, use) 7 If I the chance, I to a different country. (have, move) 8 If I closer to school, my life a lot easier. (live, be) 9 I a lot healthier if I so many sweets and biscuits. (be, not eat) PRACTICE Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets to make unreal conditional sentences. 1 If we solar power, it a lot of money. (use, save) 2 If I a bit of money, I a second-hand motorbike. (have, buy) 3 If she John, I’m sure she him. (meet, like) 4 I for a new mobile if I more time. (look, have) (continued on p. 144) Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv