Conditional sentences from Russian into English. Conditional sentences of the third type in English

Every person has his own dream. In our case (learning English), one of these is to finally learn to express what we repeat so often in our native language. And in Russian we constantly talk about our plans, dreams, events in life, etc. How can we express our unfulfilled desires in English?

To do this, you need to understand the desires themselves. Namely, to answer the questions for yourself (which, by the way, can help not only learn the language, but also implement your plans): what interferes with your desire? Is this obstacle in the past or the future? If it weren’t for this obstacle, would your wish have come true a long time ago or just now?

Let's move on from philosophical questions to grammar. Unreal conditions in English are expressed using complex sentences, i.e. those where there is a main clause and there is a dependent (subordinate) clause. This diagram is translated into Russian as If..., then...

Table 1. Unreal terms in English

For those who do not need any conditions, but simply want to express their wishes, there is a simpler design. It is translated into Russian as What a pity that…; It’s a shame that...; How I wish it were...; Now, if only...

Table 2. Unreal conditions

First Conditional Sentences are the simplest type of conditional sentences in the English language. Such a sentence is also called a “real” conditional - it shows an action that will happen in the future if the condition is met.

Example

If your daughter studies are hard, she will pass the exam. – If your daughter studies hard, she will pass the exam (successfully).

How is First Conditional formed?

First Conditional is used when we talk about our plans for the present or near future and the implementation of these plans is realistic.

When constructing conditional sentences in Russian, we put both parts of it in the future tense. In English after if(conditional part) we use Present Simple(present tense), and in the second part of the sentence (result) - will + infinitive verb.

If + Present Simple --------- will + verb

Example:
If I have time, I will watch TV. – If I have time, I will watch TV.

Parts of a sentence can be interchanged, for example:
I will watch TV, If I have time.

When constructing a conditional sentence of the first type, except for the conjunction if (if) we can use:

• as soon as- as soon as
• before- before
• until- up to a certain point
• when- When

After these words, Present Simple is always used, and in the second part of the sentence will + infinitive is placed:

I will call you as soon as I get home.
I will finish my work before you come.
I will learn English until I"m completely fluent.
I will tell Bob when I see him.

Practical exercises to reinforce the material

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense (put the verb in brackets in the correct tense).

1. If Peter (do) lots of exercise he"ll be fit and healthy.
2. Please call me if you (need) any help.
3. Cathy will be able to go on holiday if she (save) enough money.
4. Unless it (rain) we"ll go for a walk.
5. If you (work) hard you may be promoted.
6. ...you...(give) me a call if you have time tomorrow?
7. If you don"t do your homework I (not/let) you match TV.
8. Mary won't go to Australia unless I (pay) for her tickets.
9. If he (arrive) on time we"ll have dinner before we go out.

View answers

Answers

First Conditional Theme

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense

1. If Peter does lots of exercise he"ll be fit and healthy.
2. Please call me if you will need any help.
3. Cathy will be able to go on holiday if she saves enough money.
4. Unless it rains we"ll go for a walk.
5. If you work hard you may be promoted.
6. Will you give me a call if you have time tomorrow?
7. If you don"t do your homework I won"t let you match TV.
8. Mary won't go to Australia unless I pay for her tickets.
9. If he arrives on time we"ll have dinner before we go out.

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense.

1. A: I"d like a cup of coffee.
   B: Well, if you (hold) the baby for five minutes, I (make) it for you.
2. A: I must go to the bank.
   B: If you (leave) now, you (get)there before it closes.
3. A: I can't do everything myself.
   B: Well, if you (wash) the dishes, I (cook) the meal.
4. A: Are you going on holiday this year?
   B: Yes, I (go) to Spain for two weeks, if I (have) some time off work.
5. A: I want to cook something special tonight.
   B: Great, if I (finish) work early, I (give) you a hand.
6. A: Could I have a chocolate biscuit, please?
   B: Yes, if you (look) in a cupboard, you (find) some cakes as well.

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 the following:

· 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.

In our everyday speech, we constantly use constructions that express certain conditions. In English, sentences containing the word “if” are very common. In English, these sentences are considered quite difficult to learn, but if desired, they can be quickly mastered. This article will examine in more detail the third type of conditional sentences and a comparative analysis with other types.

How are they formed

Usually divided into three types depending on how likely the situation is to unfold in the present, past or future. These three types are the main ones, but there are other mixed types.

It traditionally has two parts: condition and outcome (result). The first one is quite easy to recognize - it always has an if at the beginning of the words. The result tells us what will happen if some condition is met. There are four basic types of sentence data in English:

• 0th (Zero Conditional);
• 1st (1st Conditional);
• 2nd (2nd Conditional);
• 3rd (3rd Conditional).

We will consider the last type of conditional sentences in more detail. Events of this type belong to the past tense; they could have happened, but did not happen for some reason.

For all these types, various aspectual and tense forms are used, which provide their own formulas for constructing sentences.

The word if (that is, the beginning of the condition) can come either at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence. In Russian, the condition is always separated from the result by a comma. is set only when the condition comes at the beginning.

Conditional sentences of type 3 in English

This type of proposal is unrealistic. Conditional sentences of type 3 in English are the most complex among the others - the subjunctive type. The action in the third type belongs to the past, time has long expired, and there is no possibility of performing this action, which is dependent on this condition, since the situation is already in the past. Conditional sentences of type 2 in English concern a situation that occurs in the present, but it is improbable in its essence. To summarize, we can say that the condition in the if-clause cannot be implemented, it is unrealistic and contradicts the real situation. Conditional sentences of type 1 in English, on the contrary, talk about a real situation in the present tense, something that can actually happen.

Examples and formula for using type 3 conditional sentences

The third type can be called the “unreal past.” Its whole essence lies in one simple phrase: regret about the past. Something happened a long time ago, and there is some regret and worry about it, but it is no longer possible to change the situation. This is unrealistic, since a lot of time has passed, and, as the saying goes, “the past cannot be returned.” At its core, the third type is the only type that refers to the past period of time.

If I hadn’t overslept, I wouldn’t have been late in the office for consultation. - If I hadn’t overslept, I wouldn’t have been late for the office consultation.

If she had been more responsive, she would have been promoted three years ago. - If she had been more responsible, she would have been promoted three years ago.

Also, conditional sentences of type 3 in English are used when people condemn any actions that happened in the past and which cannot be changed.

If you had read attentively this book, you wouldn’t have done many errors. - If you had read the book carefully, you would not have made many mistakes.

If he hadn’t left his flat “s door open, it wouldn’t have been burgled. - If you hadn’t left the apartment door open, then the apartment wouldn’t have been robbed.

Type 3 is also used when it is necessary to report on long-past events that have a positive impact on the present.

She wouldn’t have prepared this pie if she hadn’t got so much commendation. “He wouldn’t have made this pie if he hadn’t received so much advice.”

If I hadn't loved you, I wouldn't have married you. - If I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t have married you.

Pay attention to the aspect that conditional sentences of type 3, as well as type 2, are translated into that is, with the particle “would” in Russian.

Conjunctions in conditional sentences

In this type of syntactic constructions, the subordinate part is most often attached to the main part using the conjunctions if (if) and when (when), but other conjunctions are also often used, these can be: unless (if ... not), provided that, providing that, on condition that (provided that...)

The conjunction unless is usually used in colloquial speech.

You'll be off work on Sunday unless Rick gets ill. - You have Monday off unless Rick gets sick.

I’ll have to call the police unless you go away from here. - I'll have to call the police if you don't leave here.

The constructions provided that, providing that, on condition that are used in official written and clerical speech. In communication and simple everyday speech, the word that is often skipped.

We can send you the letter on Monday provided (that) we get your request within the next three months. - We can send you a letter on Monday, provided that we receive your request within the next three months.

Conditional sentences with modal verbs

In conditional sentences with different degrees of possibility, constructions with modal verbs are often used, and not only to express the result and, but also to express the main condition. Let's consider options for using constructions with this type of verbs.

If they can aid, they do. (= They aid).

If she has to write, she does. (= She writes).

Conditions that are real:

If they could aid they would. (= They would aid).

If he had to visit, he would. (= He would visit).

Meaning of sentences with modal verbs

Subtleties of using obligatory verbs:

The construction ‘if I may (might)’ has a meaning similar to the statement ‘if you allow me to’ (“if you allow me”). ‘If I might’ is softer in meaning and more formal than ‘if I may’, but both constructions are respectful forms. When 'should' is used with a condition, it means that its fulfillment is unlikely or unrealistic, but still possible. ‘If you should need any aid...’ - “if you need some support” (but it’s unlikely to be needed).

When the verbs 'will' or 'would' are used with a condition, they express will or intention. ‘If you will aid her, Sara will thank you.’ - “If you want to help him, he will thank you.” In conditional sentences indicated in the present or future tense, 'could' in some situations means permission, in others - possibility, and in others - both permission and ability. ‘If Oleg could call you, he would.’ - “If Oleg could call, then he would call.” In unreal conditional sentences in the past tense, ‘could have’ can mean ability.

Conditional sentences in English in the table

Let us consider schematically the types of conditional sentences and their formula for the formation of each type. Conditional sentences in English are presented in the table below.

Conditional sentences of type 1 in English, unlike others, show the real possibility of a situation arising. They have the present simple tense in their formula. Conditional sentences of type 3 in English, on the contrary, express an unreal past that cannot be changed.

Pin a topic

So, what are conditional sentences in English? Exercises will help reinforce the topic.

Write the verbs in brackets in the correct form:

if you... (have) more money, you... (visit) Indonesia last year. - If you had more money, you would have visited Indonesia last year.

If you (love) me, you never (leave) me before our wedding. - If you loved me, you would not have left me before the wedding.

if she (attend) the classes, she (get) more positive marks three days ago. If she had attended classes, she would have gotten better grades three days ago.

if our driver... (not take) the wrong turn, you... (not come) late yesterday. - If our driver had not made the wrong turn, you would not have arrived late yesterday.

If your mother... (not quarrel) with you a week ago, you... (go) to the theater. - If your mother had not quarreled with you a week ago, you would have gone to the theater.

If I (be) more smart ten years ago, I never (get) along with you. - If I had been smarter 10 years ago, I would not have made peace with you.

If we (buy) a car five weeks ago, we really (save) $2000. - If we had bought the car five weeks ago, we would have saved $2,000.

Do you ever find yourself regretting events that have already happened? Or, on the contrary, are you glad that everything turned out exactly this way and not otherwise?

In Russian, when we talk about this, we use the word “if”:

“If he had woken up on time, he would not have missed the plane. She wouldn’t have come with us if she hadn’t finished all the work yesterday.”

In English, when we talk about past events that could have happened under certain conditions, we use type 3 conditionals.

It is not difficult to understand and learn to construct such sentences. In this article I will teach you this.

From the article you will learn:

• When we use conditional sentences of the third type
• Rules and schemes for the formation of affirmative sentences

When are type 3 conditionals used in English?

If you don’t know how conditional sentences of types 1 and 2 are formed, then be sure to look at these articles first:

Conditional sentences of the third type (Third Conditionals)- express unrealistic situations that might or might not have happened in the past under certain conditions.

Most often, such sentences are used when we:

• We regret something and would like to change our actions in the past (but since the events have already happened, we cannot do this)

• We talk about past actions, imagine alternative options (such sentences may not express regret, but, on the contrary, joy that everything happened this way)
• We criticize someone's actions in the past

Let's look at examples:

If he had taken classes, he would not have been expelled from the university (but he did not do this, so he was expelled).

They wouldn't have met if she hadn't gone to that party (but she went, so they know each other now).

She would have gotten that job if she knew English (but she didn't, so she didn't get it).

As you can see, all these actions are unreal because they have already happened in the past.

At the moment, we can only think about how events would have unfolded if the person had acted differently.

Attention: Confused about English rules? Find out in Moscow how easy it is to understand English grammar.

How do conditional sentences of type 3 differ from conditional sentences of type 2?

Very often these sentences are confused, since in both cases we are talking about unreal events. In addition, they are very similar or identically translated into Russian.

Let's see how to distinguish them.

Conditional sentences of the second type

Using them we are talking about imaginary situations present or future . That is, the events we are talking about are unlikely or unrealistic.

For example:

If he won the lottery, he would buy a car.

(We are talking about the future, he now has a ticket, and he dreams of winning. But the fact that he will win it is unlikely, almost unreal).

Conditional sentences of the third type

Using them we say about situations in past . The events we are talking about are completely unreal, because we cannot change the past.

For example:

If he had won the lottery, he would have bought a car.
If he won the lottery, he would buy a car.

(He bought a ticket in the past, but didn't win anything. There's no way to change that.)

Now let's see how to construct such sentences in English.

Rules for the formation of conditional sentences of the 3rd type in English

Conditional sentences consist of 2 parts:

1. The main part is an action that could have happened in the past.

2. Condition - events in the past under which the action in the main part would have been possible.

Conditional sentences can begin with either a main clause or a condition.

Let's look at how each of these parts is formed.

Main part of the sentence

The main part contains an unreal action that could have happened in the past, but did not happen.

This part is formed using:

• would (also could, should, might)

That is, the diagram of this part will be as follows:

Actor + would + have + action in 3rd form

For example:

She would have won this competition….
She would have won these competitions...

I could have passed the exam….
I could pass this exam...

Conditional part of a sentence

This part contains a condition, upon the occurrence of which the events in the main part would occur.

In this part we use the Past Perfect tense, which is formed using:

• auxiliary verb had
• 3rd form of irregular verb or regular verb ending -ed

The conditional part always begins with the word if - “if”.

Let's look at the diagram of this part:

For example:

If she had worked hard...
If only she worked hard...

If they had bought the flat….
If they bought this apartment...

What do type 3 conditional sentences look like?

Now let's connect the two parts. We will get the following diagram:

Actor + would + have + action in 3rd form + if + actor + had + action in 3rd form

For example:

She would have succeeded if she had heard his advice.
She would have succeeded if she had listened to his advice.

I would have forgiven him if he had told me the truth.
I would forgive him if he told the truth.

We can swap the two parts, putting the condition first. Education rules will remain the same. Only a comma will be added to separate the two parts of the sentence.

The outline of such a proposal:

If + actor + had + action in 3rd form , actor + would + have + action in 3rd form

If you had asked me, I would have helped you.
If you asked me, I would help you.

If he had known her phone number, he would have called her.
If he knew her phone number, he would call her.

Negation in conditional sentences of the third type in English

In such sentences we can use negation:

• In the main part
• In the conditional part
• In both parts

Let's look at these cases separately.

Negation in the main part

In this case, we say that an action in the past would not have happened if certain events had occurred.

To make a negation in the main clause, we put not after would.

We can shorten: would + not = wouldn’t

The outline of such a proposal:

Actor + wouldn’t + have + action in 3rd form + if + actor + had + action in 3rd form

They wouldn't have been late if they had taken a taxi.
They wouldn't be late if they took a taxi.

She wouldn't have worked in the café if she had graduated from the university.
She wouldn't have worked in this cafe if she had graduated from university.

Negation in the conditional part

In this case, we say that an action in the past would have happened if certain events had not occurred.

To make the conditional part negative, we put not after had.

Abbreviation: had + not = hadn't

The outline of such a proposal:

If + actor + hadn’t + action in 3rd form, actor + would + have + action in 3rd form

If she hadn't made a mistake, we would have won.
If she hadn't made a mistake, we would have won.

If they hadn't helped us, we would have failed our exams.
If they had not helped us, we would have failed our exams.

Negation in both parts

In this case, we say that an action in the past would not have happened if certain events had not occurred.

The outline of such a proposal:

Actor + wouldn’t + have + action in 3rd form + if + actor + hadn’t + action in 3rd form

She wouldn't have been late if she hadn't missed a bus.
She wouldn't have been late if she hadn't missed the bus.

We wouldn't have met each other if we hadn't gone to that party.
We wouldn't have met each other if we hadn't gone to that party.

Question with conditional sentence type 3 in English

We can ask a question and find out whether something would happen if certain conditions were or were not met.

It should be remembered that in such sentences the question is asked only to the main part. To do this, you need to put would first in the sentence.

The outline of such a proposal:

Would + actor + have + action in 3rd form + if + actor + had + action in 3rd form?

Would she have got this job if she had known English?
Would she have gotten this position if she knew English?

Would they have helped if they had been with us?
Would they help if they were with us?

So, we've sorted out the theory. Now practice making such sentences yourself.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English. Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

1. He would not have made this mistake if he had more time.
2. She would have come if she hadn’t missed the train.
3. If he had told me about the meeting, I would have come.
4. Would she move if they got married?
5. If we had listened to you, we would have been home.