Lesson 7

“Condition” clause

Open condition: in the “Condition” clause we have the Simple (Indefinite) Present Tense. In the Principle Clause we have the Simple Future Tense.

·                     If you laugh before breakfast, you’ll cry before supper.

·                     If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.

Where there is an implied negative we use the Subjunctive Conditional: Subjunctive Present Conditional or Subjunctive Past Condutuonal:

Subjunctive Present Conditional

·                     If there were no clouds, we should not enjoy the sun.

·                     If things were to be done twice, all would be wise.

Subjunctive Past Condutuonal

·                     If I had known where I should fall, I should have put some hay there in advance.

·                     If my aunt had been a man, she would have been my uncle.

Answer these questions:

·                     What would you do if you were Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark?

·                     What would you do if you were Little Red Hood?

·                     What would you do if you were Ugly Duckling?

·                     What would you do if you were Cinderella?

·                     What would you do if you were musketeer?

Ask yourself constantly: “What should I do if I were…”

The Modal Verbs

Can – could                                                         They express physical or mental ability and also express possibility depending on real circumstances.

·                     All men can not be first.

·                     All men can not be masters.

·                     Blind men can judge no colours.

·                     No living men all things can.

Must (Present)                                                

                                                                              This verbs express duty, obligation, necessity.

Had to (Past)

1.                                         

·                     Every tub must stand on its own bottom.

·                     They must hunger in winter that want not work in summer.

·                     You must take the fat with the lean.

May                                                                       Express supposition and uncertainty.

Might                                                                     Express still greater uncertainty.

·                     What a day may bring, a day may take away.

·                     Fools may sometimes speak to the purpose.

·                     Wise man may sometimes learn from a fool.