GE L12 Unit 3 (Formal Conditional Sentences)

Global English
Level 12
Unit 3

Formal Conditional Sentences

Formal Conditional Sentences

Definition

Formal conditional structures are special sentence patterns used to talk about hypothetical, unlikely, or possible situations in a more formal and polite way.
They are often used in academic writing, official documents, or formal proposals.

Formal Conditional Sentences

Why we use Formal Conditional Sentences?

• To make our speech or writing sound more polite and professional.

• To discuss possible or hypothetical future actions.

• To persuade or make suggestions in a formal/academic way.

Formal Conditional Sentences

When we use Formal Conditional Sentences?

• In proposals or formal reports (e.g., suggesting what a council, government, or organization could do).

• In formal discussions/debates when presenting solutions or recommendations.

• In academic writing to present hypothetical outcomes of actions.

What is inversion?

• §Definition

  §Inversion happens when we reverse the usual word order in English.

  §Normally, English sentences follow this pattern:

  👉 Subject + Verb + Object
  (She + is + happy.)

  §With inversion, the order changes, usually to:
  👉 Adverb/Expression + Auxiliary/Verb + Subject + Main Verb

Why we use inversion?

• •Emphasis → to highlight important or surprising information.
  “Never had I felt so tired.”

  •Formality → common in advanced writing, journalism, and speeches.
  “Not until much later did scientists realize the importance of the discovery.”

  •Stylistic effect → adds variety and drama to the language.
  “Down came the rain.”

Normal Vs. Inversion

• §Normal order:
  I had never experienced such an exciting trip.

  §Inversion order:
  Never had I experienced such an exciting trip.

  §👉 Notice:

  §the adverb Never comes first, followed by auxiliary (had) + subject (I) + main verb (experienced).

Pattern/Formula

Inversion with “were” (instead of “if”)

Structure:
Were + subject + to + base verb, … main clause

• Example: Were the council to improve public transport, pollution levels would decrease.
  (Same as: If the council were to improve public transport, pollution levels would decrease.)

Key point

• §Inversion is NOT the same as a question.

  §Had I ever experienced such an exciting trip? = Question is not an Inversion ❌

  §Never had I experienced such an exciting trip. = Statement with emphasis ✅

Pattern/Formula

Inversion with “should” (instead of “if”)

Structure:
Should + subject + base verb, … main clause

• Example: Should the government invest in renewable energy, emissions would drop significantly.
  (Same as: If the government invests in renewable energy, emissions would drop significantly.)

Pattern/Formula

With “if + subject + were + infinitive with to”

Structure:
If + subject + were + to + base verb, … main clause

• Example: If the town were to ban cars in the city center, air quality would improve.

Example

• Were students to recycle more, the school would reduce waste by half.

• Should you need further assistance, please contact the information desk.

• If the company were to lower its prices, sales would increase dramatically.

• Were the council to build more parks, residents’ health would improve.

• Should citizens complain about noise levels, the government would take immediate action.

key Point

• These structures are just a more formal alternative to standard conditionals (if-clauses), but the meaning is the same.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the correct definition of formal conditional structures?

• a) Sentences used only in informal conversations

• b) Sentences used to describe past habits

• c) Sentences that describe hypothetical or possible situations in a formal way

• d) Sentences that explain scientific facts

Multiple Choice

Why do we use formal conditional structures?

• a) To sound casual and friendly

• b) To make speech or writing more formal and persuasive

• c) To describe facts that are always true

• d) To write poetry

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is an example of a formal conditional structure?

• a) If it rains, we will stay inside.

• b) Should you need help, please let me know.

• c) I would go if I had time.

• d) If she studies, she passes.

Multiple Choice

Identify the formula for using “were” in a formal conditional.

• a) Were + subject + to + base verb, … main clause

• b) Subject + were + base verb + main clause

• c) Were + base verb + subject, … main clause

• d) Base verb + were + subject

Multiple Choice

Which is the formal version of: “If the council invests in renewable energy, emissions will drop”?

• a) Should the council invest in renewable energy, emissions will drop.

• b) The council should invest in renewable energy, emissions will drop.

• c) Were emissions to drop, the council will invest in renewable energy.

• d) Emissions will drop if the council invests.

Multiple Choice

What is the correct formal conditional with “were”?

• a) Were the teacher explains, students will understand.

• b) Teacher were to explain clearly, students understand.

• c) If teacher explained clearly, students will understand.

• d) Were the teacher to explain clearly, students would understand.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence correctly uses “should” in a formal conditional?

• a) Should take a rest if tired.

• b) You should take a rest if you feel tired.

• c) Should you feel tired, you can take a rest.

• d) Should tired, take a rest.

Multiple Choice

What is the main difference between “if” conditionals and formal conditionals?

• a) No difference in meaning, but formal ones sound more polite.

• b) Formal conditionals mean the opposite of normal ones.

• c) Formal conditionals are only used in spoken English.

• d) Formal conditionals are used only in mathematics.

Multiple Choice

Which of these uses “were + to” correctly?

• a) If she was to try harder, she pass.

• b) Were she to try harder, she would pass.

• c) Were she trying harder, she pass.

• d) She were to try harder, she pass.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence.

• a) Should he studies, he would succeed.

• b) Were he study harder, he succeed.

• c) Should he study harder, he would succeed.

• d) He should study harder, succeed.