Grammar · From lesson 11
TOEIC Grammar: Conditionals and Inversion (Should you…, Had we…)
Free extract from the Noto Tracks TOEIC course
| Type | If clause | Main clause | Use and example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero | present | present | General truth: If the temperature drops below zero, the system shuts down. |
| First | present | will / can / may / imperative + base | Real future: If you register by May 1, you will receive a discount. |
| Second | past simple (were) | would / could / might + base | Unreal present/future: If we had more space, we would hire more staff. |
| Third | past perfect | would / could / might have + p.p. | Unreal past: If the shipment had left on time, it would have arrived yesterday. |
| Mixed | past perfect | would + base | Past cause, present result: If we had signed the lease, we would be in the new office now. |
In the second conditional, formal English uses were for all persons: If I were you, I would accept the offer. Unless = if … not: Unless the board objects, we will proceed. Otherwise = "if not" at the start of a new clause: Submit the form today; otherwise, your request will be delayed.
Inversion without if
Formal business English often drops if and inverts the auxiliary and subject. The TOEIC tests all three forms:
| Standard | Inverted |
|---|---|
| If you should have any questions, please call us. | Should you have any questions, please call us. |
| If we were to lower prices, sales might rise. | Were we to lower prices, sales might rise. |
| If we had known about the strike, we would have rescheduled. | Had we known about the strike, we would have rescheduled. |
Note the verb forms after the inverted auxiliary: Should + subject + base verb; Had + subject + past participle; Were + subject + to + base (or + noun/adjective: Were I in your position…).
------- the contractor finished the roof before the storm, the warehouse would not have been damaged.
(A) If (B) Had (C) Should (D) Were
Answer: (B) — the main clause (would not have been damaged) is a third conditional, so the condition is past perfect. With no if, the inverted form is Had the contractor finished. (A) If would need had finished; with finished alone it would be a second-conditional form that does not match the main clause.
Quick check: (a) If the printer (jams / will jam), call the help desk. (b) If we (had / would have) a larger budget, we would advertise on television. (c) (Should / Had) you need a receipt, ask the cashier. — Answers: (a) jams, (b) had, (c) Should.
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This page is one section of a full lesson
Lesson 11, "Grammar course 2: Verbs", is in the Noto Tracks TOEIC course. The rest of it covers:
- 3. The future in time and condition clauses
- 5. Transitive and intransitive pairs
- 9. Causatives and verbs + object + base verb
- 11. The mandative subjunctive
- 12. Verb forms in Part 6
Also in the full lesson
- Practice questions
- Answer key with explanations
- One-page summary
50 questions, free, with an estimated score.
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