1. Conditional sentences

2. Mixed conditionals if+past tense, would have + past participle e.g. If it wasn’t so expensive, we would have opened many more safari parks around the country. (= it is very expensive, so we didn’t open any more) if+past perfect, would + bare infinitive e.g. If game reserves had been set up earlies, there would now be fewer animals in danger of extinction. (= game reserves were not set up earlies, so more animals are in danger of extinction)

3. Mixed conditionals In formal context we can use were instead of was in the if-clause. e.g. If it were not for zoos, most people would never seen wild animals. or less formaly... was not for... We prefer to use were in expressions If I were you...

4. Mixed conditionals We can use if...were + to-infinitive rather than if + past simple to talk about imaginary future situations: e.g. If the government were to ban zoos, it would put captive breeding programmes at risk. or If the government banned zoos. * We don’t usually use this pattern with state verbs (e.g. belong, doubt, know, understand) e.g. If we understood more about animal behaviour we would be in a better position to protect them. (*not-if we were to understand more about...)

5. Other conditional expressions I’m all in favour of safari parks provided (that) / providing (that) the animals are well looked after. So /As long as developed countries put money into these reserves, species will be preserved. I’m willing to suppport the proposal on condition that animals are kept in large enclosures. In the event of the alarm sounding, visitors should leave the zoo by the nearest exit.

6. Other conditional expressions An alarm will sound in case of animals escaping from the safari park. We must protect natural habitats, otherwise more animals will become extinct. But for the existance of zoos, many people would never have seen wild animals. Supposing the proposal is rejected, what will you do then?