The Communicative Grammar of English Workbook - Edward Woods, Rudy Coppieters 2002

10.2. Other ways of expressing hypothetical meaning
Unit ten. Conditions

Sections 277-278

There are three less common ways of expressing hypothetical meaning in subclauses:

(i) the were-subjunctive

(ii) were to + infinitive

(iii) should + infinitive

When the operator occurring in the if-clause is subjunctive were, should or had, the conditional clause can alternatively begin with the operator placed before the subject (= inversion).

Task *

Use the alternative, more formal versions of the following sentences, replacing the if-clause by a clause characterized by inversion.

1. If we had known the true situation at the Coco Reef, we would not have visited the resort last February.

2. If this were to be true, no one is quite sure what effects it would have.

3. If you should have any health care related questions, please call or visit your physician.

4. If we had realized Brian was cheating on us, we would have distanced ourselves from him.

5. I would be amazed if such an incident were ever to happen again.

6. If this man had been assisted just a little, he might have become a useful citizen.

7. If this should not be satisfactory, a second investigation will be conducted.

8. If they were ever to build another town they would probably profit from past experiences.

9. The proceeds from the book will cover the legal fees, if anything should go wrong.

10. If a solution were to be provided the problem would cease to be philosophic.

11. If the women had been given any real choice, their babies would never have been taken from them.

12. Millions of lives could be saved if someone were to find a cure for cancer.