Sometimes we are not very happy with the current state of affairs and realize that we would like to change it. For example:
“If only I knew English. If only it weren't raining now. If only I could meet you."
Such sentences in English are constructed using the if only construction. In this article I will tell you how to use it correctly.
The if only construction in English
The expression if only is translated as “if only.” We use it when we talk about a strong desire for a situation to turn out differently. That is, about unrealistic situations.
This construction adds emotional coloring to your speech. Then you express strong emotions and feelings.
Using this construction, we can say that:
- We really regret something
- We would really like something (but we don’t have it)
- We were really expecting something (but it didn’t happen)
For example:
If only I had agreed to that job back then.
If only I could talk to him.
If only she would come.
We can use this construction in the present, past and future tenses.
Let's look at how.
Let's start from the present time.
Using the if only construct in the present tense
In the present tense, we use the if only construction when we talk about some events or situation that we would like to change right now.
For example:
If only he made more (he'd like to make more right now).
How to construct such a sentence in English? Let's get a look.
1. Our If only comes first
3. We put the action itself in the past tense (Past Simple), that is, we add the ending -ed to the correct verbs, and we put the incorrect ones in the second form
Note: Whether a verb is correct or incorrect you can look it up in the dictionary
Let's look at the diagram of such a proposal:
If only + actor + past tense action
| I | ||
| you | ||
| they | knew | |
| If only | we | told |
| she | bought | |
| he | ||
| it |
For example:
If only we could leave now.
If only we could leave now.
If only I spoke English.
If only I spoke English.
Now let's look at how such sentences are used in the past tense.
Using the if only construction in the past tense
We use the If only construction in the past tense when we talk about the desire to change something that has already happened.
For example:
If only I had followed your advice (but I didn’t and now I regret it).
How to construct such sentences in English?
Exactly the same as in the present tense. Only now we put the action during the Past Perfect (past complete).
This means that we:
- We put the auxiliary verb had before the action
- Depending on the verb (action), we add the ending -ed if the verb is correct or put it in the 3rd form if the verb is irregular
The outline of such a proposal looks like this:
If only + actor + had + action in 3rd form
| I | |||
| you | |||
| they | known | ||
| If only | we | had | done |
| she | called | ||
| he | |||
| it |
Now let's look at the future tense.
Using the if only construction in the future tense
We use the If only construction in the future tense when we talk about wishes for the future, in which we show the contrast between the way things are and the way we want them to be.
For example:
If only he would call me (he doesn't at the moment).
Such proposals are easy to construct.
Just like in other tenses, we put If only and the actor. Next comes would and the action (verb) in the initial form (that is, we do not change it in any way).
Let's look at the diagram:
If only + actor + would + action
| I | |||
| you | |||
| they | talk | ||
| If only | we | would | buy |
| she | do | ||
| he | |||
| it |
If only he would marry me.
If only he would marry me.
If only I would talk to him.
If only I had talked to him.
So, we've looked at the English construction, now let's practice using it.
Reinforcement task
Translate the following sentences into English. Leave your answers in the comments.
1. If only he got a job.
2. If only she lived here.
3. If only they knew the truth.
4. If only I had gone with you.
5. If only I had bought that car.
Both Russian and English verbs have a mood category (Mood). One of the moods is Subjunctive Mood, or Conditional Mood, as it is called, subjunctive, or conditional. The conditional mood in English always expresses a certain unreality, desires, fantasies and regrets, including about the past. There are certain grammar rules here that differ from the standard ones, and one of the subjunctive mood pages is conditional sentences in English, or Conditional sentences.
There are a number of nuances and features here that are extremely important to take into account, because in English Conditionals have several types.
Rules for the construction and formation of conditional sentences
The main feature that Conditional sentences have is, as the name itself makes clear, the presence of a condition inside. Any such sentence consists of two parts: the main clause and the subordinate clause. The grammar provides for the use of other tenses in subordinate clauses of time and conditions that differ from the standard norms.
Types of conditional sentences in English are a kind of division of such constructions from the point of view of the reality or unreality of the action taking place. In total, it is customary to distinguish 4 types of conditional sentences, which have numbers as a sign of difference, as well as a mixed version, where subordinate and main parts are used differently than in ordinary Conditional sentences and are mixed with each other.
Basic Types of Conditional Sentences
To understand in more detail what clauses of time and condition are, and also to generally show how conditional sentences are formed in English, the table, which presents the main types of Conditionals, will help:
Note: the rule of classical grammar is that the form was not in Subjunctive Mood; preference is given to the form were for any person and number.
Examples of what conditional sentences look like in English could be as follows:
· When Mike visits me, we will certainly spend time playing computer games – When Mike visits me, we will definitely spend time playing computer games
· If you found out all the details, you would be disappointed - If you found out all the details, you would be disappointed
· If he had come with his wife, nobody would have blamed him - If he had come with his wife, no one would have blamed him
General principles for using conditional clause types
Before talking about each of the varieties in more detail, it is worth talking about conjunctions that introduce subordinate clauses. The most common of these is the conjunction if, but there are others that also express a condition: as soon as, when, till (until), in case, etc.
Note: the conjunction unless in conditional sentences has some peculiarity. It is translated as “if not” and differs from if in that it already carries a negation, which means that there can no longer be a second negation in the sentence:
You will definitely fail your English Grammar exam unless you study better - You will definitely fail your exam if you don’t study better
Conditional Zero
Conditional Zero (the so-called zero type) speaks of an action that inevitably follows from another action. Often applicable to laws of nature, physical phenomena, but can also be used in ordinary speech. The tense in both parts of the sentence is identical, and more often it is the present than the past:
· If you heat the ice, it melts - If you heat the ice, it melts
· If I had money, I bought ice-cream – If I had money, I bought ice cream
Conditional 1
Present Conditional, or Conditional 1, expresses an action that is completely real and has every chance of happening. First conditional looks like this:
In case she brings me the phone, I’ll buy it – In case she brings me the phone, I’ll buy it
Conditionals 2 and 3
Past Conditional includes and and. The difference between them is that the second type speaks of an unlikely, but still possible action, since it relates to the present time, and in the third type, the action is absolutely unrealistic, since it concerns the past. To compare Second Conditional and Third Conditional, two examples can be given:
· If you came here, I should be happy – If you came here, I would be happy (the action is still theoretically real)
· If you had come here yesterday, I would have been happy - If you came here yesterday, I would be happy (the action is completely unrealistic, as it refers to the past)
Mixed Conditions
There are also mixed types, where the position of conditional subordinate clauses changes and the parts move into other types. There are two main types of Mixed:
1. Subordinate part of the second type – Main part of the third:
If you were clever, you wouldn’t have failed your exam - If you were smart (in principle), you would not have failed your exam (but you already failed)
2. Subordinate part of the third type – Main part of the second:
If you hadn’t failed your exam you would be a student now - If you had not failed your exam (but you already failed), now you would be a student (key word “now”)
Features of I wish designs
Designs with wish, which also belong to the Subjunctive Mood theme, have their own characteristics. The fact is that such a phrase is formed exclusively using past tenses and the present form cannot be there. If the action relates to the present, Conditionals wishes will be Past Simple, to the past - Past Perfect, to the future (provided that the subject and the object are different persons) - Future in the Past. The following examples can be given:
· I wish you came now
· I wish you had come yesterday
· I wish you would come tomorrow
Applying and remembering all the rules of the conditional mood is not always easy, especially for those who are at the initial stage of learning English, but if you delve into the features of these constructions and understand the general principles of their formation, using them in speech and writing will become much easier.
Conditional sentences ( Conditional Sentences ) is the topic of more than one lesson.Conditionals in Englishare divided into different types, and each of them has its own rules of formation and use.
It will take a lot of practice to feel comfortable among all types of conditional sentences. But first, you need to break down what each type of Conditionals looks like and in what cases they are used. To do this, we have sorted out the rulesGrammar Conditionals in English, collected examples for each case and formed for everyone Conditionals table . Memorize the designs, review the differences between types, and practice!
Conditional Sentence Structure
Conditional sentences consist of two parts: the condition itself (air conditioning in English) and the consequences of fulfilling this condition (the main part of the sentence). A consequence states the action that should occur if the condition is met. You can also determine what meaning each part has based on a formal sign: the condition most often begins with the word if - if.
The two parts of a sentence can appear in any order: the condition can be said first, then the consequence, or vice versa. The order of the message does not affect the meaning of the message. However, a syntactic rule comes into play here: the order affects the placement of a comma in a sentence. If the condition comes first in a sentence, it is separated by a comma. If the consequence comes first, then a comma is not needed.
I will tell Gordon about it if I see him tomorrow - I will tell Gordon about this if I see him tomorrow.
The part with the if condition is a subordinate sentence, therefore questions in such constructions are asked to the main part of the sentence, that is, to the consequence.
Will you tell Gordon about it if you see him tomorrow? -Will you tell Gordon about this if you see him tomorrow?
Types of Conditional Sentences
There are 5 types of conditional sentences in English. They differ in the nature of the conditions in the sentence and the correlation of the event with reality and are formed using different grammatical rules.
English Conditionals:
- Zero Conditional - Zero type of conditional sentence
- First Conditional - First type
- Second Conditional - Second type
- Third Conditional - Third type
- Mixed Conditional - Mixed type
The choice of one of these types is determined by two parameters. First, the speaker needs to determine whether the fulfillment of the situation is real, or whether the fulfillment of the condition is possible only in an unreal world. Second, determine the tense for each part of the sentence. In conditional sentences, the time in the condition and the consequence are independent of each other and each is determined by the meaning of the situation.
For example, when we are talking about a real condition, about the order of things in the world, then simple verb tenses are sufficient for constructions. When a sentence refers to unreal situations that do not occur in life, the subjunctive mood appears in the constructions. In this case, an unreal event can relate to the present and future or to the past.
Let's look at each typeconditional sentences in English with examples: educational design and the contexts in which they are used.
Zero Conditional
Let's start our review of conditional sentences with Zero Conditional. In such constructions, the appearance of if has minimal effect on the grammatical form of the verb.Constructions of the zero type of conditional sentences appear in contexts where the message indicates general truths or a recognized state of affairs. Typical uses of these sentences are instructions, guidelines, descriptions of laws.
The scheme for forming such sentences is the simplest. Most often, the verb here is placed in the simple present tense in both parts of the sentence.Zero Conditional Examples:
If you take the ice out of the refrigerator, it melts - If you take ice out of the refrigerator, it melts.
If you click on this icon, the dialogue box appears - If you click on this icon, a dialogue box appears.
If I wake up at 6 o’clock, I feel awful - If I wake up at 6 o’clock in the morning, I feel terrible.
The typical verb form for Zero Conditional is Present Conditional . However, not only the Present Simple can appear here: other present tenses can be used to describe regulations or the established order of things. The choice of a specific verb form is determined by what stage of the event the speaker wants to highlight. For example, when it is necessary to emphasize the process of performing an action, the Continuous form appears:
If you are driving a car, you need to be very attentive - If you are driving a car, you need to be very attentive.
When talking about the result, the Perfect form appears:
If you have heard an alarm, you should leave the place immediately - If you heard an alarm, you should leave the room immediately.
In the main part of Zero Conditional, modal verbs are often used: can (to be able) / may (to be able to, have permission) / should (should) / must (must). Modal verbs describe an action that occurs with a certain degree of probability.
When we ask a question to sentences like Conditional 0 , you need to pay attention to which verb is used in the main part. If there is “to be” or modal verbs, then you need to move it to the first place in the sentence. If other forms are used, then you need to add the auxiliary verb do / does to the beginning of the question, and put the semantic verb in the infinitive.
Does the ice melt if I take it out of the refrigerator? - Does ice melt if you take it out of the refrigerator?
Should I leave the place immediately if I have heard an alarm? - Do I need to leave the premises immediately if I hear an alarm?
Since the zero conditional is often used as advice or guidance, the verb in the main part can be in the imperative mood. The above examples Conditional Zero can be reformulated using an imperative verb:
If you are driving a car, be very attentive - If you are driving a car, be very attentive.
If you have heard an alarm, leave the place immediately - If you hear an alarm, leave the room immediately.
Mandatory Zero Conditional
Unlike types 1, 2, 3 conditions, in the zero type of conditional sentences there is no element of assumption. They only state facts that occur and are binding. The if conjunction in such constructions can be replaced by the when conjunction.
When you take the ice out of the refrigerator, it melts - When you take the ice out of the refrigerator, it melts.
When you have heard an alarm, you should leave the place immediately - When you heard the alarm, you should leave the room immediately.
When you are driving a car, you need to be very attentive - When you drive a car, you need to be very attentive.
When you click on this icon, the dialogue box appears - When you click on this icon, a dialogue box appears.
When I wake up at 6 o’clock, I feel awful - When I wake up at 6 o’clock in the morning, I feel terrible.
Under the zero condition ( zero condition ) can also be replaced if with every time (every time), if the sentences describe habits and imply repeated actions:
Every time I wake up at 6 o’clock, I feel awful - Every time I wake up at 6 o’clock, I feel awful.
First Conditional
In sentences with First Conditional, the role of the condition is more obvious. It contains an assumption about the course of events, and if it is fulfilled, then the action from the main part of the sentence can be carried out.
The first type of construction refers to the future tense: if the condition occurs, then the consequence will occur. In this case, the probability of the event occurring is high. This is the type of sentence that this example applies to:
If I see Gordon tomorrow, I will tell him about it - If I see Gordon tomorrow, I will tell him about it.
First Conditional education includes present and future tenses. After if there is a Present, and in the part of the consequence - a Future. Please note that after if there is no verb in the future tense, despite the fact that the meaning of the condition describes an event that can only happen. In Russian, both parts of a sentence are most often translated into the future tense, and this often confuses English learners. You need to remember that in English the Future is placed only as part of the consequence.
I will pass the exam if I work hard - I will pass the exam if I work hard.
The point of using conditional sentences of the first type is to communicate the likely course of events, but leaving uncertainty that the situation will definitely occur. This is what distinguishesFirst and Zero Conditional rule. In sentences of the first type, the conjunction if cannot be replaced by when without changing the meaning.
If we try to put the conjunction when in an example familiar to us, the meaning of the phrase will change. With the word when, the sentence takes on the connotation of the speaker's confidence that the event will happen.
When I see Gordon, I will tell him about it - When I see Gordon, I will tell him about it.
Despite the fact that the Present Simple in the conditional part of a sentence is the most common tense for1st Conditional rules, other forms of the present tense are also possible here. For example Present Continuous:
If she is sleeping, I will wake her up - If she is sleeping, I will wake her up.
All types of conditional sentences often use modal verbs. They replace will in the main part of the sentence.First Conditional Exampleswith modal verbs:
- can - can (has the opportunity): If we hurry up, we can catch the last train - If we hurry, we can catch the last train.
- may - may (allowed): If you finish all your work today, you may have a day off tomorrow - If you finish all your work today, you can take a day off tomorrow.
- should - must: If she wants to get this job, she should be ready to work hard - If she wants to get this job, then she must be ready to work hard.
- must - must: If it rains, you must stay at home - If it rains, you must stay at home.
As in the zero type of conditional sentence, it is possible to use the imperative mood in the main part. Suchexamples of the First Conditional ruleis the same as the Zero Conditional type, and the difference in meaning is inferred from the context.
If you see her, send my regards - If you see her, say hello from me.
Second Conditional
The second type of conditional sentences in Englishdescribes unrealistic situations in the present or future tense, the probability of which is very low.
Such constructions are characterized by a special verb form - the subjunctive mood. It can refer to the past, present or future. Second Conditional expresses the meaning of present and future tenses.
In the subjunctive mood we are talking about unreal situations that relate to the plane of our expectations, ideas, desires. IfZero and First Conditional rulereferred to real events, then this type of sentence characterizes the unreal world. In Russian, this meaning is expressed by the particle “by”.
If I had a thousand years to live, I would become an expert in many spheres - If I lived a thousand years, I would become an expert in many fields.
This example is a typical conditional sentence Conditional II with an unreal situation. It is in the plane of our dreams or expectations, but not in the plane of reality: a person cannot live for a thousand years.
Although, according to the meaning of the sentences of the second type of conditions, they refer to the plan of the present or future time, Conditional 2 rule requires the verb to be put in the past tense. The use of past forms is also typical for the Russian language:
If I lived in Italy, I wouldn’t try to spend every holiday at the seaside - If I lived in Italy, I wouldn’t try to spend every holiday at the seaside.
For Second Conditional ruleformation combines the past tense in the condition and the subjunctive mood in the consequence. In the conditional part, the verb is placed in the Past Simple, and in the consequential part, the verb would appears, followed by a semantic verb in the infinitive without the particle to. The peculiarity of these sentences is that the past tense of the verb to be in the condition is put in the form were, regardless of the number and person of the subject.
If I were a king, I would live in this palace - If I were a king, I would live in this palace (but I’m not a king and I’m unlikely to become one).
We would be friends if Carol were a little more optimistic - We would be friends if Carol were a little more optimistic.
Often a condition describes an event that is equivalent for both the future and the past, since we are talking about an imaginary world. In Russian, the form “be” is appropriate in such sentences: If I were a king - Be I a king.
Unlike types Zero and First,second air conditioning in Englishimplies that the condition is unlikely to occur. The difference between such situations can be demonstrated using an example from the first type of conditional sentences, if you change the verb forms in the statement:
If I saw Gordon, I would tell him about it - If I see Gordon, I will tell him about it.
In this example, the speaker states that the situation is very unlikely, and the meeting refers rather to an unrealistic plan.
If I saw Mister President on the street, I wouldn’t know what to think - If I saw the President on the street, I wouldn’t know what to think.
A typical situation in which the second conditional arises is when we want to convey what we would do in another person’s place. There is no way we can become a different person, so the choice of an unreal conditional sentence is clear. This formulation is often used as advice:
If I were you, I wouldn’t behave like this - If I were you, I wouldn’t behave like this.
In sentences of the second type, the would form can be replaced by various modal verbs, but their forms are somewhat different from those previously discussed. Let's look atSecond Conditional exampleswith modal verbs:
- could - maybe: I could become a star if I were more lucky - I could become a star if I were luckier.
- might - can: If we had more money, we might stop work - If we had more money, we could stop working.
- should - follows: If I had time, I should go to the gym - If I had time, I should go to the gym.
- must - must: I must be in school at this time of day if I were a child - At this time of day I should be at school if I were a child.
Third Conditional
The construction of the third conditional also refers to the unreal plane. However, unlike the second type, we are talking about the past tense. Often such sentences are used to convey regret about actions done or not done or to criticize events that have occurred.
If I had known it in advance, I wouldn’t have said such things - If I had known about it in advance, I would not have said such things.
If in the case of the second typeconditions in Englishwe are talking only about supposed events, then from the construction of the third conditional sentence we learn that in reality the events did not develop the way they are presented in the sentence.
The main part of the sentence is formed using the construction would have and the past participle. The verb in the condition is put in the Past Perfect form. The shortened form of the verb would looks like ‘d, which is the same as the shortened form of the verb had.
If I had called him that day, we would have solved this problem = If I’d called him that day, we’d have solved this problem - If I had called him then, we would have solved this problem.
Construct sentences of the third typeconditions in EnglishIt is possible in the form of inversion, that is, using reverse word order. To do this, the conjunction if is omitted from the condition, and the verb had is placed in the first position in the sentence:
Had I called him that day, we would have solved this problem - If I had called him then, we would have solved this problem.
Modal verbs in the Third Conditional have the same form as in sentences of the second type and replace the verb would in the main part of the phrase. As examples, we can consider sentences already familiar to us, placed in the third type of conditions:
- could - can (has the opportunity): If we had hurried up, we could have caught the last train - If we hurry, we could catch the last train.
- might - may (allowed): If you had finished all your work, you may have had a day off today - If you had finished all your work, you could take a day off today.
- should - must: If she had wanted to get this job, she should have been ready to work hard - If she wanted to get this job, she should have been ready to work hard.
- must - must: If it had rained, you must have stayed at home - If it rained, you should have stayed at home.
Mixed Conditional
The mixed type combines different types of conditional sentences. However, not all types are involved in such designs. conditions 0 1 2 3 , but only the second and third.
In Mixed Conditional, one of the parts - condition or consequence - refers to the past. The mixed type of conditional sentences can be divided into two types:
- a combination of Second Conditional in the condition and Third Conditional in the consequence.
- combination of Second Conditional in consequence and Third Conditional in condition.
Let's give examples for each case.
- If + Second Conditional / Third Conditional
If I were clever enough, I wouldn’t have done this - If I were smart enough, I wouldn’t have done this.
In the Third Conditional there is the main part of the sentence that does not correspond to the real past (I wouldn't have done this - “I wouldn't have done this”), and the condition is characterized by a situation that is also true for the present (If I were clever enough - “If I were smarter ", Second Conditional).
- If + Third Conditional / Second Conditional
If I had won that lottery, I would now live in France - If I had won that lottery, I would now live in France.
In this sentence, the main part refers to the present tense (I would now live in France - “I would now live in France”), but the condition for its implementation is determined by the failed past (If I had won that lottery - “If I won that lottery ").
Conditions table
The topic of Conditionals is extensive and requires regular repetition of material. To better understand the differences between the five types, let us summarize intable of conditional sentences in English:
This topic is one of the most serious in English grammar. By learning a language at the initial stage, you can do without this knowledge for some time. But the higher your level, the more you will have a desire to diversify and complicate your speech, making it closer to what native speakers speak. At this point, there will be a need to study the conditions: their meaning, varieties, methods of formation and examples of use. This article will help with that.
Where are they used?
In English, as in Russian, all sentences are divided into simple and complex. And the latter, in turn, can be complex and complex. The first type does not create great difficulties when learning the grammar of a foreign language. But in the case of the second, there are some nuances.
Consider a typical one in English:
If (when) the weather is fine, I’ll go for a walk - If (when) the weather is fine, I’ll go for a walk.
In this case, you can easily see two components:
- I'll go for a walk - main clause;
- if (when) the weather is fine - condition clause or time clause.
What do they mean?
In the example discussed above, the main sentence expresses the thought: “What will happen?”, and the subordinate clause expresses the thought “Under what condition (or at what time, when) will this happen?”
Such sentences express an inextricable semantic and grammatical connection between the main and subordinate parts. In general, subordinate constructions can express a variety of meanings: mode of action and degrees, place, time, condition, cause, effect, purpose, comparison, concession. But in this article we will talk about only two types, expressing situations of time and conditions.
In speech, such constructions express logical, spatiotemporal and cause-and-effect relationships. Therefore, the advanced learner of English needs to understand when to use clauses and clauses.
Used conjunctions
It is characteristic that in complex sentences the main part is invariably one, but there can be several subordinate clauses. All of them are directly dependent (logical and grammatical) on the main component and are attached to it with the help of various conjunctions and allied expressions. Here are the most common ones:
- if - if;
- in case - in case;
- when - when;
- while - while, while;
- as soon as (as long as) - as soon as;
- until - not yet, until;
- after - after;
- before - before;
- unless (if not) - if not.
Please note: the conjunction used does not always help determine A. This is often necessary to apply the grammatical rule discussed later in the article. To accurately confirm that this is a sentence with a subordinate clause or time, you need to ask a question to the subordinate part.
Remember also that a sentence can begin with either a main clause or a subordinate clause. Is it hard not to get confused? Just pay attention to which part of the sentence the conjunction is in (one or another from the list presented above).
What is a subordinate tense?
This type includes a part that is subordinate to the main one, while answering the questions: “When?”, “How long?”, “How long ago?”, “Since when?”, “Until when?” and so on.
To attach subordinate clauses to the main part, conjunctions are used: when, after, before, until and others with a similar meaning. However, in order to make sure that it is the meaning of time that is being expressed, and not some other, it is most reliable to ask a question.
What is a subordinate clause?
Such grammatical constructions answer the question: “Under what conditions?” They are quite varied and are joined by conjunctions if, in case, unless, etc. But it does not always guarantee that the meaning of the condition is realized in the sentence. Because in many cases, the phrase, for example, with if, is translated not “if”, but “whether”. Compare:
- I’ll come if they invite me - I’ll come if they invite me.
- I don’t know if they will invite me - I don’t know if they will invite me.
Subordinate clauses in English are found in sentences that take place in the past, present or future tense. In addition, the conditions put forward themselves have a gradation: real, unlikely and unrealistic. This is best understood through examples.
Type I
The subordinate condition belonging to the first type describes a real fact. That is, what actually took place in the past, present or future. In this case, the tense forms of the predicate verb in the main and subordinate parts usually coincide.
This can be clearly seen in the examples.
- Past tense:
If the weather was fine, he went for a walk - If the weather was good, he went for a walk.
- Present tense:
If the weather is fine, he goes for a walk - If the weather is fine, he goes (goes) for a walk.
- Future tense:
If the weather is fine, he will go for a walk - If the weather is fine, he will go for a walk.
Only in the last example can one notice that the two parts of the complex sentence do not agree in time (the subordinate clause is in the form of the present, and the main one is in the form of the future). This did not happen by chance, but as a result of a special grammatical rule to which subordinate clauses and conditions are subject. The details will be explained below.
For now, let's look at the manifestations of the second and third types of subordinate conditions. They are no longer revealed in three grammatical tenses, but acquire the meaning “if, then...”. Moreover, such a hypothetical situation may relate to both the present day and the past.
Type II
When the speaker believes that the reality of fulfilling the condition is quite small, then a separate speech construction is used. Drawing an analogy with the Russian language, this is the subjunctive mood (“if only ...”). Example:
If the weather was fine, I would go for a walk - If the weather was good, I would go (went) for a walk.
Please note that the situation described is happening at the time the person is talking about it. This is not regret about yesterday.
To construct a grammatically correct statement of this type, you need:
- in the subordinate clause, put the predicate verb in the Past Simple form;
- in the main part use would + (but without the particle to).
III type
If compliance with a given condition (and performance of an action) is considered by the speaker as completely impossible, a subordinate condition of another type comes into play. The impossibility of realizing such a situation is due to the fact that the action has already taken place in the past, and the speaker is not able to change its result. And therefore, a compound with a subordinate condition of this type usually expresses regret and lamentation about the current circumstances.
If the weather had been fine yesterday, we wouldn’t have stayed home. In that case we would have gone for a walk - If the weather had been good yesterday, we would not have stayed at home. In that case, we would go for a walk.
But there may be another, opposite in meaning, situation. The person thinks about what could have happened, but does not feel regret about it. For example:
If I had overslept, I would have been late - If I had overslept, I would have been late.
Please note that the entire sentence refers to and expresses the impossibility of performing a certain action precisely then, in the past.
The following grammatical structure is formed:
- in the subordinate clause, the predicate verb is put in the Past Perfect form;
- in the main part would + Perfect Infinitive is used.
What tense is used in subordinate clauses?
This question is very serious. A little earlier in the article it was mentioned that it is important to determine the type of subordinate clause. And in this matter, it is necessary to focus not on alliances, but on the questions asked.
The fact is that there is a certain grammatical rule. It is related to the type of clause and the use of present/future tense in it.
If subordinate clauses answer the questions: “Under what condition will the action be performed?” or “At what time (when) will this happen?”, then they express, respectively, a condition or a time. In these types of clauses you cannot use the future tense (with the verb will). The present is used instead. Even when the situation clearly relates to the future and it is at this time that it is translated into Russian.
Compare:
- She’ll make a cake when you come.
- If I get this job, I will be happy.
As is easy to see, in the latter case the example given refers to a variety - subordinate condition of type I. This rule does not apply to the other two types of conditional clauses, since they contain completely different constructions for expressing grammatical meaning.
In many situations, complex sentences allow you to better express the thoughts of the speaker. Subordinate units join with the help of special unions. The main varieties are subordinate tenses and subordinate conditions.
The English language has certain grammatical rules regarding the use of such structures. In order to reliably learn them, you need to thoroughly understand the theory once, and then perform as many exercises as possible so that an example of correct use is fixed in memory. Subsequently, when the need arises, it will automatically appear in speech.
Conditional sentences in English are also called " IF-sentences " A conditional sentence consists of two parts, the first of which (subordinate clause) begins with the word “ if - if " and contains a condition, and the second (main) part contains words such as will, can, may, might, could, would and expresses an action that can or might take place.
Before we get into the types of conditional sentences, remember one rule: “ No future after” - this means that in a subordinate clause that begins with the word if, the future tense is never used.
There are four main types of conditional sentences.
Null condition
If + present tense + present tense. This means that both the main and subordinate clauses are in the present tense. " If you heat chocolate it melts" In this type of sentence If can be replaced by when, and here it is rather not a condition that is contained, but pattern, which is why this type is called a “null condition”.
First type of conditional sentences
Following this scheme, we should use present time in a subordinate clause after if, A main offer will be expressed in the future tense formed using words will, may, can . This condition is absolutely real and feasible.
- If I have free time I’ll visit you.
- If she helps me I’ll manage to do this work.
- If it is hot you can switch the air conditioning on
As can be seen from the examples, in the Russian sentence both parts are in the future tense. In English, only the main clause is in the future tense; in the subordinate clause, the future tense is not used after if.
Second type of conditional sentences
This type of conditional sentence is used to express a semi-real action that has limited time to complete. Subordinate clause, following if, is expressed in the past time, A in the main clause used particle "would". The second type of conditional is often used when talking about hypotheses, imaginary events - what would happen or could happen if this condition were met - If... then... . For example, " If he invited me to a restaurant today, I would go with him" Before us is an action that may or may not be feasible, i.e. semi-real condition – If he invited me to the restaurant today I would go.
- If he lent me money I would buy new furniture.
- Jane likes life in the countryside. She wouldn't be happy if she lived in the city - Jane likes living in the country. She wouldn't be happy if she lived in the city
- This room would look nicer if you hung some curtains.
- If there weren't so much traffic, we could arrive in time.
The second type of conditional sentences is also used to express:
- It's cold. If I were you I would put on the coat – It’s cold. If I were you, I'd wear a coat.
Third type of conditional sentences
This last, third type of conditional sentence expresses a completely unrealistic action that could have been performed in the past. " If I studied hard, I would pass the exam» (but I didn’t study and failed, now I regret it) –If I had studied much I would have passed the exam.
- If I had money on me yesterday I would have bought that jacket.
- If we had left home earlier we would have caught the train.
- If you had been more sensible 5 years ago, you could have married a millionaire.