C1 · Lesson 5 · 25 min
Inverted conditionals
In this lesson
- I can replace if with conditional inversion using had, were and should.
- I can preserve time and meaning when rewriting a conditional.
Grammar in context
Had the organisers checked the forecast, they would have hired a larger tent. Were the event indoors, the weather would matter less. Should you need a refund, contact the office.
Which opening looks back at an unreal past, which imagines a present situation, and which offers a formal future possibility?
Had for an unreal past
A third conditional can begin with had before the subject instead of if plus past perfect. Leave out if and keep the past participle after the subject. The result clause normally uses would have plus a past participle, although could have and might have are also possible when the meaning requires them. This is a change of style and word order; it does not turn the imagined past event into a real one.
- Had I saved the receipt, I could have returned the lamp.
- Had the driver noticed us, she might have stopped.
Were for an imagined situation
Formal conditions involving were can also be inverted. Were I available means if I were available. Were it not for identifies something that prevents an imagined result now; had it not been for does the same for a past situation. For other verbs, were plus subject plus to-infinitive can introduce a hypothetical future condition. These structures are relatively formal, and their result clauses must still match the intended time.
- Were it not for the grant, the project would be impossible.
- Were the supplier to withdraw, we would need another plan.
Should for a possible future
Should before the subject can introduce a possible future event in polite or formal language. It often appears in offers, notices and instructions. Follow the subject with a base verb: Should you require assistance. The result may be an imperative or a clause with will; it need not contain would. In these examples should marks a condition, not advice. In negative inverted conditions, place not after the subject rather than contracting the first auxiliary.
- Should the lift stop, press the alarm button.
- Had we not left early, we would have missed the train.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
Had if they arrived earlier, they would have met Jo.
Use
Had they arrived earlier, they would have met Jo.
Use either if they had or had they, not both.
Avoid
Should you to need help, call us.
Use
Should you need help, call us.
Should is followed by a base verb, without to.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.