Using Modals

Fill in the correct form of the modal to complete the sentences. NOTE: Some sentences can use more than one modal. See the Answers to Exercises section for other alternatives.

1. If I finish this large pot of stew before lunchtime, I ________________ take it to the homeless shelter.

2. Had Jonathon not fallen down the stairs, he ________________ be playing in the game tonight.

3. You _________________ get that cough checked if you don’t want to end up in the hospital.

4. Mike ________________ have won the competition if he had studied harder. 5. Sally ________________ be able to go with us if she finishes her errands. 6. _________________ you please tell me where the museum is located? 7. If he grows any bigger, he __________________ fit into any of his clothes. 8. You __________________ do that if you don’t want to get into trouble.

Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences include the modals will, would, can and could, usually with the word if. There are two types of conditional sentences: the real, which are based on factual and habitual situations, and the unreal, which are based on untrue or hypothetical situations.

The real conditional is used when an action or situation is expressed which normally will occur if the circumstances in the main clause are met. The real conditional is sometimes referred to as the “future possible” because it refers to a possible future outcome.

Situation: I am not planning on doing anything this weekend. Someone asks me if I want to go to the concert with them. I say:

I will go to the concert if it is possible.

The sentence is true because: I will go to the concert unless it is impossible. We can have a party if my dad leaves.

The sentence is true because: We will have a party unless my dad is here.

The unreal conditional conveys a situation that would take place, or would have taken place, if the circumstances were, or had been, different. It can refer to past, present, or future situations. Situation: It is impossible for me to go, but I want to go. I say:

I would go to the concert if it were possible.

This sentence is untrue because: I know that I cannot go to the concert. John could buy that car if he had the money.

This sentence is untrue because: John doesn’t have the money and cannot buy the car. The if clause can also come at the beginning of the sentence without changing the meaning. However, when the if clause begins the sentence, a comma is used to separate it from the main clause.

I could go to the ball game if I didn’t have to work. OR

If I didn’t have to work, I could go to the ball game.

The word if is usually not followed directly by the modal.

if + subject + conjugated verb . . . + modal . . .

subject + modal . . . + if . . .+ conjugated verb . . .

NOTE: In the unreal condition, the past tense form of the verb be is always were. It can NEVER be was.

If I were If you were If he were If she were If it were If we were If you were If they were

If the verb in the unreal conditional sentence is negative, the meaning is actually positive. If the verb is positive, the meaning is actually negative.

If he were taller, he could play professional basketball. (He’s not tall.) (He cannot play professional basketball.) I could record an album, if I were a better singer,

(I cannot record an album.) (I am not a better singer.) BUT

If the taxi driver hadn’t been speeding, he wouldn’t have been in an accident. (The taxi driver was speeding.) (He was in an accident.)

They would have received tickets if they hadn’t been late. (They didn’t receive tickets.) (They were late.)

Real Conditions (Possibly True)

Following are the formulas for conditional sentences which have the possibility of being true. Remember: The formula can be reversed, placing the if clause in the middle of the sentence. Also, when placing the if clause first, a comma is used after it.

Future

if + subject + simple present tense + will can may must

+ verb in simple form

If I raise enough money, I will start my own business.

Our team will win if they play well.

Habitual

if + subject + simple present tense. . . + simple present tense. . .

NOTE: A modal is not used in the habitual conditional form of a sentence.

If the traffic is heavy, I am late for work.

Margaret sings in the church choir if she has free time.

Command

if + subject + simple present tense. . . + command (simple verb form)

If you go to the store after work, please buy bread.

Unreal Conditions (Not True)

Following are the formulas for conditional sentences which are not true.

Remember: Unreal conditionals use the opposite verb tense then what is being relayed.

Present or Future

if + subject + simple past tense +

would could might

+ verb in simple form

If John knew math better, he could help you with your homework.

(John doesn’t know math better) (He can’t help you with your homework.) I would drive you to town if I had a car.

(I won’t drive you to town.) (I don’t have a car.)

If you didn’t have to work, we could go to the party.

(You have to work.) (We cannot go to the party.)

Past

if + subject + past perfect +

would could might

+ have + verb in past participle

If she had taken that bus, she would have been in the accident.

(She didn’t take that bus.) (She wasn’t in the accident.) They might have arrived on time if they hadn’t taken that bus. (They didn’t arrive on time.) (They took that bus.) If Rob hadn’t gone to the party, he wouldn’t have lost his job. (Rob went to the party.) (He lost his job.)

The unreal condition can also be expressed without using if. In this situation, the auxiliary verb

had is placed before the subject instead of after it. This clause normally comes first in the

sentence.

Past

Had + subject + past perfect +

would could might

+ have + verb in past participle

Had he heard the news sooner, he would have prepared a better speech.