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C1 ADVANCED · GRAMMAR · PART 4

Advanced conditionals

Mixed conditionals, provided / as long as, in case, otherwise, but for and if it hadn't been for.

Finn the puffin with glasses and a book, your grammar teacher
Finn says

At C1 you need more than the four basic conditionals. Mixed times, formal alternatives to 'if' and a few fixed phrases can all appear in Part 4.

Mixed conditionals

The if-part and the result are about different times.

Past cause → present result
If + past perfect, would + infinitive
If I had taken the job, I would be rich now.
Present fact → past result
If + past simple, would have + past participle
If I wasn't so shy, I would have spoken to her.

Alternatives to 'if'

provided / providing (that), as long as, on condition that
= only if
You can go provided (that) you're back by ten.
unless
= if … not
I won't go unless you come too.
in case
= because something might happen (not the same as if!)
Take a coat in case it gets cold.
otherwise
= if not
Hurry up, otherwise we'll be late.
supposing / imagine
= what if
Supposing you won the lottery, what would you do?

Fixed conditional phrases

But for / Without
+ noun = if it hadn't been for
But for your help, I would have failed.
If it wasn't / hadn't been for
+ noun
If it hadn't been for the rain, we would have won.
It wouldn't surprise me if…
= I think it's likely
It wouldn't surprise me if they got married.

How it comes up in Part 4

In Part 4 you complete the second sentence with the key word, so that it means the same as the first one (3–6 words).

I didn't study medicine, so I'm not a doctor now.
WOULD
If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now.

Mixed conditional: a past cause (had studied) and a present result (would be).

Sara's goal in the last minute was the only reason we won.
FOR
If it hadn't been for Sara's goal in the last minute, we wouldn't have won.

If it hadn't been for + noun = the only reason something happened.

Take your phone because you might need to call me.
CASE
Take your phone in case you need to call me.

In case = because something might happen.

Common mistakes

  • ✗ If I had taken the job, I would have been rich now.✓ If I had taken the job, I would be rich now.With 'now', the result is in the present: would + infinitive.
  • ✗ I'll take an umbrella if it rains.✓ I'll take an umbrella in case it rains.You take it before you know – so use 'in case'.
  • ✗ Providing you will finish, you can go.✓ Providing you finish, you can go.No 'will' after provided, providing or as long as.
Finn the puffin, smiling kindly
Finn's exam tip

Check the time of each half. A word like 'now' or 'today' in the result means would + infinitive, even if the if-part is in the past.

Quick check

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use the key word and write 3–6 words.

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