It's sometimes said that the English are polite people. This can make life
difficult for foreigner. Suppose a foreign boy asks an English girl to go out with
him and she says, " If I finish my work, I'll meet you in the café at 7 o'clock," Is
she saying " yes" or " no" to his invitation?
In grammatical terms, she is using the conditional structure. By using the
conditional, speakers of English can avoid giving a "yes" or " no" answer to a
question. It enables people to be diplomatic. If the girl doesn't want to go out
with the boy, she won't turn up at the café. She will let him understand she is still
work
ing. If she wants to go out with him, but doesn't want to appear too easy to
catch, she has achieved that with her reply. But in
this case, as she uses the first
conditional which s
hows probability, she is quite likely to turn up at the café.
Being polite can make life very difficult!
The conditional is often used by people in the news-politicians, for
example-who to avoid speaking out their ideas. Th
is is very important if they are
on their way to discuss an agreement. No one wants to give away his or her
points before he or she starts. A government spokesman might say to a group of
workers, " if we could pay you more, we would.' The use of the conditional here
makes room for argument although the speaker is using the second conditional
form, which shows improbability. So it is unlikely the workers will get their
rise.
"If" is a small word, which appears often in the English language. It can
show politeness, reported speech and conditionals such as the
First-probability-if I can come to
your party, I will; the
second -improbability-if I saw you tomorrow, I'd
give you the book; and the
third-impossibility( meaning it is too late to change something that has
happened)-if you have told me. I would have helped you.
1. The using of the conditional can make a speech _____.
A. clearer
B. quicker
C. more polite
D. more exciting
2. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. Language used in the news should make room to argue.
B. Usually English girls are not easy to catch.
C. English people never speak out their ideas in public.
D. The word "if" can show different meanings.
3. In the passage," If we could pay you more, we would." probably means _____.
4. This passage is mainly talking about _____.
A. the conditional in communication
B. how to invite a girl in Britain
C. British people and their life
D. some language points in daily English
oesn't give any promise