What are the conditional structures? There are many different types. Let’s look at

Function/Form: alternative forms

B
We can use alternative conditional forms to make something sound more formal or less likely.
Look at the examples and answer the questions.
A: If you enquire at the desk, they will be able to help you.
B: Should you enquire at the desk, they will be able to help you.
The sentences have the same meaning, but which sounds more formal?
What word does should replace in example B?
If
A: If she opened the bank account here, would she get the loan?
B: If she were to open the bank account here, would she get the loan?
C: Were she to open the bank account here, would she get the loan?
Which sentence sounds the most formal?
C
Does the use of were to + infinitive make the sentence sound more or less likely?
less
A: If Larry had applied earlier, he would have got the job.
B: Had Larry applied earlier, he would have got the job.
Which example sounds more formal?
B
In example B, if is omitted, then what happens to the word order?
The subject and auxiliary had are inverted.
If you enquire at the desk, they will be able to help you.
If she opened the bank account here, would she get the loan?
If Larry had applied earlier, he would have got the job.
Should with the first conditional: more formal/polite
Were to + infinitive with second conditional: makes it sound less likely/possible.
Inversion in the third conditional: more formal and less likely/possible.
Function/Form: alternative forms
Let’s practise...
Should + subject + infinitive, future simple
If + subject + were to + infinitive, would + inf.
Had + subject + past participle, would have + past participle
Had Larry applied
Were she to open the bank account here, would she get a loan?
Were + subject + to + infinitive, would + inf.
We can make this more formal by using inversion.
first conditional
second conditional
third conditional
Should
were to open

• Charlie stole the car. He’s now in prison. STOLEN

If Charlie hadn’t stolen the car, he wouldn’t be in prison now.