Special uses of will/would in if-clauses

Normally will and would are not used after if in conditional sentences. There are, however, certain exceptions.

if you will/would is often used in polite requests, would is the more polite form.

If you will/would wait a minute I'll see if Mr Jones is free. (Please wait.) I would be very grateful if you would make the arrangements for me.

if you would + infinitive is often used alone when the request is one which would normally be made in the circumstances. The speaker assumes that the other person will comply as a matter of course.

If you'd fill up this form.

(in a hotel) If you'd just sign the register.

(in a shop) If you'd put your address on the back

of the cheque.

(in a classroom) If you'd open your books.

if+will/would can be used with all persons to indicate willingness:

If he'll listen to me I'll be able to help him. (If he is willing to listen ...)

If Tom would tell me what he wants for his dinner I'd cook it for him. (The speaker implies that Tom is unwilling to tell her.)

won't used in this way can mean 'refuse':

If he won't listen to me I can't help him. (If he is unwilling to listen/ If he refuses to listen ... ) If they won't accept a cheque we'll have to pay cash. (If they refuse to accept ...)

will can be used to express obstinate insistence:

If you will play the drums all night no wonder the neighbours complain. (If you insist on playing ...)

л.

if+would like/care can be used instead of if+want/ wish and is more polite:

If you would like to come I'll get a ticket for

you.

If you'd care to see the photographs I'll bring

them round.

If he'd like to leave his car here he can.

Intention, command: shall

Shall in the second and third persons can express (A) the subject's intention to perform a certain action or to cause it to be performed, and (B) a command. Both these uses are old-fashioned and formal and normally avoided in modern spoken English.

A. Examples of shall used to express the speaker's intention (promise, threat or warning):

You shall have a sweet = I'll give you a sweet or I'll see that you get a sweet. He shan't come here = I won't let him come here. They shall not pass = We won't let them pass.

In the past, i.e. in indirect speech, it is usually neces­sary to change the wording:

He said, 'You shall get a sweet' = He promised me a sweet.

B. Examples of shall used to express a command:

Yachts shall go round the course, passing the marks in the correct order, (yacht-racing rules) Members shall enter the names of their guests in the book provided, (club rules)

This construction is chiefly used in regulations or legal documents. In less formal English must or are to would be used instead of shall in the above sentences.

Activities

/. Analyse the modal meanings of shall and translate the sentences into Russian.

1. The victory of peace can and shall be won. There shall be no war. 2. He shall do it whether he wants it or not. 3. Higgins: Listen, Eliza. I think you said you came in a taxi. Eliza: Well, what if I did? I've as good a right to take a taxi as anyone else. Higgins: You have, Eliza, and in future you shall have as many taxis as you want. You shall go up and down and round the town in a taxi every day. Think of that, Eliza. 4. You shall answer for it! 5. You shall have no cause to complain of me, dear. There shall be no difficulty about money. 6. Anyone found guilty of robbery shall be shot at once. 7. If you're a good boy, you shall steer from time to time. 8. 'That's the last time!' she cried. 'You shall never see me again!' 9. You shall repent of this neglect of duty, Mr Gummer. 10. 'She shall go off tomorrow, the little artful creature,' said Mrs Sedley, with great energy. 11. Paula: I've got to tell Mr Tanqueray. Hugh: By God, you shall do nothing of the sort. 12. Don't be afraid, Jane, I saw it was an accident. You shall not be punished. 13. I shall make you happy, see if I don't. You shall do what you like, spend what you like. 14. It shall be done as you wish. 15. She shall pay for it, she shall. 16. That day shall come. 17. You shall not run away before you answer. 18. 'You shall stay just where you are!' cried Pheasant. 19. You shall do as you like now and always, my beloved child. I only wish to do as my own darling pleases. 20. The child has been lazy, so he shall not get any sweets. 21. 'Forgive me,' he said, 'I promise you it shall never happen again.'

//. Use will or shall to fill the spaces in the following sentences. Sometimes either could be used.

1. When you are in bed I... be at work. 2. Who'll help me? — I ... . 3. We will unite to resist oppression, and tyrants ... not triumph over us. (We won't let them triumph.) 4. What ... we do now? — Wait. 5. You've been a good child, and when we get home you ... have a sweet (I'll give you a sweet.) 6. Your father ... hear of this. (I'll certainly tell him.) 1. ... we go to the cinema? — Yes, let's. 8. She ... tell the same story over and over again, (obstinate insistence) 9. Club rule: Members ... write the names of their guests in the book provided. 10. Theatre regulation: Persons ... not be per­mitted to sit in the gangways. 11. Where ... I be in six years' time, I wonder? 12. He ... not come here again. (He refuses.) 13. He ... not come here again. (7 won't let him come.) 14. Clause in lease: The tenant ... be responsible for all repairs. 15. This kind of snake ... not bite unless it is startled. 16. ... you have a cigarette? — No, thanks, I don't smoke. 17. He ... play his radio very loudly, which annoys me very much, (obstinate insistence) 18. By this time next year I ... be earning my own living. 19. Who ... take this letter to the post for me? — I ... . 20. What ... we do with all the food that's left over? 21. Do you know the way? No? Then I ... show you. 22. Where ... I put it? — Put it behind the piano. 23. Police notice: ... anyone who witnessed the accident please ring 2222. 24. Yachts ... go round the course, passing the marks in the correct order, (extract from Yacht Racing Rules) 25. When ... you hear the result? — I ... not hear for another week. 26. 'I ... not apologize,' she said, stamping her foot. 27. Who ... I say called? — You needn't mention my name. He ... know who I am. 28. She ... never do anything you tell her. 29. I ... not be here next week. 30. I ... not have to do any cooking for a month. I'm going to a hotel. 31. ... I put it on your desk? — Please do. 32.1 ... fill up this form! The questions are impertinent. — If you don't, madam, you ... (negative) get your visa. 33. ... you stand quite still for a moment, please? 34. ... I put more salt in the stew? 35. A dog ... obey his owner but a cat ... not. 36. 'No harm ... be done to your child. I ... see to it,' the doctor tried to soothe the mother. 37. May I go on with the

work or ... I wait for further instructions? 38. Don't worry, everything ... be arranged as you want, I promise you. 39. But remember this: what I can't have, no one else ... . Do you understand? No one else! 40. He ... always say something which makes us laugh. 41. If you ... help me we can finish by six. 42. Hold the door open for me, ... you?

III.Translate from Russian into English.

1. Вы этого не сделаете, запомните это! 2. Вы ответите за ваши действия! 3. Не беспокойся. Ты получишь деньги обратно. 4. Когда мы узнаем что-нибудь, вы непременно услышите об этом. 5. Это можно сделать, и это будет сделано. 6. Если ты будешь вести себя так, ты будешь наказан. 7. Если ты будешь хорошо заниматься, у тебя будет новый велосипед. 8. Вы можете работать здесь. Вам никто не помешает. Я позабочусь об этом. 9. Вас долго не задержат. У вас только проверят документы. 10. Вы еще пожалеете! 11. Я буду тебе благодарен, если ты подождешь меня.

Other uses of should

Verb + should

Should ...

If you should see Tom this evening, can you tell him to phone me?

This is similar to 'If you see Tom' (without should). With should the speaker is less certain.

If it should rain, can you bring in the washing

from the garden?

Don't worry if I should be late home tonight.

You can also begin with should (before the subject):

Should you see Tom this evening, can you tell him to phone me?

Activities

I. Report these ideas using the verbs in brackets followed by (that) ... should, as in the example.

Example 'You must visit us,' they said to me. (insist) They insisted (that) I should visit them.

1. 'Why don't you apply for the job?' she said to me. (suggest)

2. 'Stay in bed for a few days,' the doctor said to him. (recommend)

3. 'You must help me,' he said to me. (insist)

4. 'Let's go to the cinema,' they said to us. (suggest)

5. 'You must pay the rent by Friday at the latest,' he said to us. (demand)

6. 'Why don't you go away for a few days?' Jack said to me. (suggest)

7. 'You really must stay a little longer,' she said to me. (insist)

8. 'Yes, let's invite him to the party,' she said to me. (agree)

//. Complete each sentence using should and the most suitable verb in the box. Use each verb only once.

Example The situation is very difficult, but it's important that everybody should stay calm.

come pass feel worry listen leave say

1. It's essential that Sarah ... the exams if she wants to go to university.

2. It was embarrassing that Simon ... into the room just as we were talking about him.

3. I'm sorry that you ... so angry. I didn't mean to upset you.

4. It's funny that you ... that. I was going to say the same thing.

5. It's only natural that parents ... about their children.

6. Isn't it typical of him that he ... without saying goodbye?

7. It's very important that everyone ... very carefully.

III. In this exercise you have to use if ... should ...

Example: I don't suppose you'll see Tom this evening but if you should see him, can you ask him to phone me?

1. I don't think Ann will arrive before I get home but... can you look after her until I come?

2. I don't think there will be any letters for me while I'm away but ... , can you send them on to this address?

3. I don't suppose you'll need any help but ... , just let me know.

4. I don't think you will see Jane but ... , give her my love.

5. I don't think he will succeed but ... , no one will be more pleased than I.

IV. Put should or would in the spaces in the following sentences.

1. ... you mind opening the door? 2. ... you like another cup of coffee? 3. He insisted that the newspaper ... print an apology. 4. The old admiral ... sit for hours watching the ships. 5. ... you be so good as to keep an eye on my house while I am away? 6. I ... say nothing about it if I were you. 7. That dress doesn't suit you; you ... buy another. 8. If you pulled the communication cord the train ... stop and you ... be fined. 9. They went to the cinema at 2.30, so they ... be back here by 6.00. 10. ... you please help me with this? 11. It

is very strange that he ... think that. 12. I wish he ... not play his radio so loudly. 13. ... you be very kind and lend me your typewriter? 14. I ... like to know where you have been. 15. It was decided that the matter ... be referred to a special committee. 16. Perhaps you ... be kind enough to let us know about this. 17. If the telephone ... ring please say that I'll be back at six. 18. ... you like to come or ... you rather stay here? 19. There are too many accidents. Everyone ... be much more careful. 20. Their method was always the same; they ... wait till their victim had left the bank and then go up to him and ask for a light. 21. What are you doing here? You ... be in bed. 22. It is essential that this matter ... be kept out of the newspapers. 23. He suggested that the money ... be raised by public subscription. 24. If you ... change your mind, this address will always find me. 25. If this machine ... at any time fail to give complete satisfaction please post us the enclosed card. 26. If he offered me money I ... refuse. 27. I wish you ... not ask so many questions. 28. He ordered that Tom ... leave the house at once. 29. I ... be most grateful if you ... do this for me. 30. He is anxious that everyone ... understand why he acted as he did. 31. You ... not argue with your father; you ... obey him. 32. He was a very patient cat; he ... sit for hours beside a mousehole. 33. ... the pain return take one of these pills. 34. It is important that I ... see him at once.

V. Translate from Russian into English.

1. Мы можем опоздать. Я предлагаю взять такси. 2. Мой . муж настаивает на том, чтобы мы провели отпуск в Пари­же. 3. Отец потребовал, чтобы я бросил курить. 4. Врач порекомендовал, чтобы я провел лето на море. 5. Мэри предложила, чтобы мы купили подарок Джону, который скоро покидает фирму. 6. Отец согласился, чтобы я при­нял участие в поездке. 7. После ужина он предложил пойти в кино, но она отказалась. 8. Они все согласились, что надо что-то делать с мальчиком. 9. Он настаивал на том, чтобы я взял отпуск. 10. Вот я и подумал, что ведь аб­сурд, что мы живем рядом и не разговариваем. 11. Важ-

но, чтобы вы упомянули об этом. 12. Мне жаль, что ты так плохо обо мне думаешь. 13. Было странно, что в ее возрасте она так безразлична к вечеринкам. 14. Я был удивлен, что он не сдал экзамен. 15. Необходимо , чтобы она пришла пораньше. 16. Он был доволен, что Кэт все же назвала ребенка в его честь. 17. В случае, если пойдет дождь, я останусь дома. 18. Если случится так, что она приедет, я дам тебе знать. 19. Если вдруг кто-нибудь по­звонит, скажи, что я вернусь к 5 часам.

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