The document discusses inverting conditional sentences by moving the auxiliary verb in front of the subject for emphasis or formality. It provides examples of three types of conditional sentences: 1) Type 1 "real conditionals" use "should" instead of "if", such as "Should you need more information, please read our pamphlet". 2) Type 2 "improbable future" sentences can be inverted but it is less common, such as "Were you to marry her, your friends wouldn’t come to the wedding". 3) Type 3 "unreal situations" use "had" instead of "if", like "Had I read your report, I would have acted sooner."

1. W H E N W A N T I N G T O A D D E M P H A S I S O R F O R M A L I T Y T O A
C O N D I T I O N A L S E N T E N C E , Y O U C A N I N V E R T T H E O R D E R
O F T H E S U B J E C T A N D O M I T “ I F ” .
W E R E , H A D A N D S H O U L D C A N B E U S E D W I T H O U T I F B Y
M O V I N G T H E A U X I L I A R Y V E R B I N F R O N T O F T H E
S U B J E C T
L E T U S S E E H O W !
Inversion in conditional
sentences

2. Type 1 if-clauses, or real conditionals
In real conditions, modal verb should is to be used:
 If you need more information, please read our
pamphlet.
= Should you need more information, please read our
pamphlet.
 If you change your mind about going to the ball, I’d
be happy to escort you.
= Should you change your mind about going to the
ball, I’d be happy to escort yoi.

3. Type 2 if clauses, or improbable future
Although possible, in this case inversion is less
common:
 If you were to marry her, your friends wouldn’t come
to the wedding
= Were you to marry her, your friends wouldn’t come
to the wedding.
 If I won the lottery, I would quit my job.
=Were I to win the lottery, I would quit my job.

4. Type 3 if-clauses, or unreal situations
 If I had read your report, I would have acted sooner.
= Had I read your report, I would have acted sooner.
 If she had known about your accident, she would
have visited you in the hospital.
= Had she known about your accident, she would have
visited you in the hospital.