生活英语对话 Episode 24: The Stockroom

本单元是关于库房工作的对话

Manager: Morning Tim, you look very well turned out today.
Tim: Thank you. It's a new suit for the New Year. I like to look smart for the customers.
Manager: Yes. Erm, I need to talk to you about something. I'd like you to work in the stockroom.
Tim: The stockroom! But...
Manager: I know, I know. But don't forget the jewellery department will need an assistant manager soon.
Tim: I don't understand.
Manager: Well, if you do this for me, I'll make sure you get an interview for the position.
Tim: Right, so if I work in the stockroom...
Manager: You'll have a chance of promotion¹. No guarantees of course.
Tim: Hmm...can I think about it?


Vocabulary:

to look smart or to be well turned out: to wear good clothes and to have tidy hair

a stockroom (n): the place where a shop keeps the products that are not on display

no guarantees: no definite promises, nothing is certain

本单元的语言点是真实条件句，在英语中通常称 first conditional² ,请看下面的真实条件句

The first conditional

A conditional is used to talk about a possible or imaginary situation (the condition) and the consequences(or the result) of it.


The first conditional – meaning

We use the first conditional to talk about something that will happen (the result), if a particular condition (which is likely to happen) is met. Because the manager is asking Tim to work in the stockroom, it's likely that Tim will do it and that's why we use the first conditional here.

In order to get an interview, Tim has to work in the stockroom.
If you do this for me, you'll have a chance of promotion.
If Tim works in the stock room, he will get an interview.
If Tim doesn't work in the stock room, he won't get an interview.

So, the meaning is that if the condition is met (and it's more than 50% likely to happen) then the result will happen.


The first conditional – form

The first conditional is made up of the condition (the 'if' part of the sentence) and the consequence or the result.

If + present simple, will + base verb

If Tim works in the stockroom, he will get an interview.
If you do this for me, you'll have a chance of promotion.
The first conditional – Modal verbs will, may and might:
When we use will in the result clause³ of the first conditional, we are certain that something will happen. It is definite. But we can use may or might instead of will. This means that the consequence is not certain. It is possible, but not definite.

I'm not feeling very well. If it rains tomorrow, I?b>ll stay at home.
I'm feeling fine and I've got a car. If it rains tomorrow, I might stay at home, or I may go shopping. I'll decide tomorrow.

Note: In the first conditional, there is no difference in meaning between may and might.


The first conditional – If and if not :

In conditional sentences, you don't always use 'if' or 'if not'. You can use 'provided that' or 'so long as' instead of 'if'.

For example:
If you put down the gun, I won't call the police. =
So long as you put down the gun, I won't call the police. =
Provided thatyou put down the gun I won't call the police. =
(Provided that is more formal than if. )

You can use 'unless' instead of 'if not'.
For example:
If you don't put the gun down, I'll call the police. =
Unless you put the gun down, I'll call the police.

1 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

2 conditional   

adj.条件的，带有条件的

参考例句：

• My agreement is conditional on your help.你肯帮助我才同意。
• There are two forms of most-favored-nation treatment:conditional and unconditional.最惠国待遇有两种形式:有条件的和无条件的。

3 clause   

n.（正式文件或法律文件的）条款，从句，分句

参考例句：

• The sentence consists of a main clause and a subordinate clause.这句中有一个主句和一个从句。
• What clause do you require in the contract?你要求在合同中订上什么条款？