English air conditioning rules. Conditional sentences 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 conditions 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

In order to understand the essence of a conditional sentence, or rather subordinate clause conditions, let's look at a few examples:

Conditional Sentence

As can be seen from the examples above, a conditional sentence is a subordinate clause that expresses the condition under which the action of the main sentence occurs or would occur. Such a subordinate clause answers the question ‘under what conditions?’ - “under what conditions?”

Separate with commas subordinate clauses in Russian and English have significant differences. For conditional subordinate clauses, these differences are manifested in the fact that a comma is separated, mainly the subordinate clause, which is in preposition, that is, standing before the main one. Whereas the conditional sentence after the main sentence is not separated by commas.

Subordinate clauses of conditions are introduced most often using a conjunction if - “if”. Subordinate clauses with the following conjunctions are less common in the table:

All subordinate clauses in English differ in one important grammatical feature - in them no verb usedwill and its past form would, even if there is an action that will be performed in the future. At the same time, the future tense can be used in the main sentence, which will be discussed in more detail below. However, we should not forget that the conjunction if is used not only in the meaning of “if”, but also in the meaning of “whether” and does not introduce conditional sentences. With the conjunction if meaning “whether” the verb will, as well as its form would, are used. Let's compare:

In English, there are several types of conditional sentences depending on the time and reality of the condition described in them.

Zero Conditionals / Conditional sentences of zero type

Such conditional sentences are not often used in speech, since they denote certain well-known truths that are repeated from time to time and do not relate to any specific moment in time or individual incident in life. Such sentences denote a real condition. In the subordinate clause of the condition, in this case it is only permissible to use different tenses of the Present group, while in the main predicate the predicate is used either in or in the imperative mood Imperative :

Zero Conditionals are used in cases where the sentence talks about:

A distinctive feature of conditional sentences of the zero type is the ability to replace the conjunction if with when (“when”):

First Conditionals / Conditional sentences of the first type

One of the most common types of conditionals are First Conditionals. They are characterized by the presence real condition (real possibility), covering a specific situation in the future or present.

The formation of conditional sentences of the first type is characterized by the use of Future Simple (will + Infinitive) or Imperative in the main clause and Present Simple in the subordinate clause:

Second Conditionals / Conditional sentences of the second type

Along with conditional sentences of the first type, Second Conditionals occupy a leading position in popularity in speech. Such sentences mean unreal possibility

Which would make a certain situation possible in the present or future:

In this kind of unrealistic sentences finds its application conditional moodConditional Mood- a verb form formed by adding to the auxiliary verb would (or should, but in the context of this topic it is not of particular interest to us) an indefinite form of the verb (the Infinitive) without the particle to or similar to the tense forms of the Past group. Conditional Mood partly corresponds to the Russian subjunctive mood. It shows the attitude of the author of the statement to a particular action, reflecting his personal perception. The verb form in this case shows the action not as real, but rather as expected, desirable or possible. The conditional mood finds its application in both simple and complex sentences, but its main area of ​​application is subordinate clauses of condition:

Taking a closer look at the examples presented above, it is easy to notice that after the subject in the third person singular we use were (for example, ...it were possible). No, this is not a mistake, but a distinctive feature of the conditional mood - the use of were is acceptable for all persons. If you use was rather than were in such a sentence, this will also not be a mistake, but were is more common in unreal sentences.

Let's return to conditional sentences of the second type. To form them in the main sentence, the predicate is put in the form would + Infinitive Simple(a simple infinitive is the original form of the verb), and in the main sentence the predicate is in a form similar to . Both forms, as we have already seen above, correspond to the conditional mood.

It should be noted that would often used in the abbreviated form - ‘d, For example:

A striking manifestation of conditional sentences of the second type are sentences of character If I were you... - “If I were you, I would...”(literally: “If I were you...”), where were is also used instead of was:

Third Conditionals / Conditional sentences of the third type

This type of conditional clause serves to express unrealistic condition related to events in past.

Since we are talking about actions that happened, or rather, did not happen in the past, the use of perfect forms becomes natural. At the same time, the subordinate clause uses the form (less often), while the main clause uses would + Infinitive Perfect (less often Infinitive Perfect Continuous). For those who are not familiar with the topic in English, let us explain that Infinitive Perfect = have + V 3 (a semantic verb in the third form), and Infinitive Perfect Continuous = have been + Ving (a semantic verb with the ending -ing).

Mixed Conditionals / Mixed type of conditional sentences

Sometimes a sentence combines a condition associated with an action from the past (Third Conditional) in a subordinate clause and its probable consequences for the present or future (Second Conditional) - in this case they speak of a mixed type of conditional sentence, also called the fourth:

Conditional sentences in English or Conditional Sentences (if clauses) describe the result of something that could happen in the present or future tense, or could have happened, but did not happen (in the past). They can occur in various temporary forms.

Types of Conditional Sentences in English

Look at the table representing the 4 types of Conditional Sentences. The first type is called “zero”, which is why you can often hear about “three types of conditional sentences” in English.

Let's now look in more detail at each case of using Conditional Sentences.

The Zero Conditional

Sentences of the “zero” type occur with two verbs in the present tense. This type is used when the result is always sure to happen. Such a statement has the connotation of a verified phenomenon, a fact. The conversation is about general phenomena and does not concern any specific situation.

If people eat too much, they get fat. – If people eat too much, they get fat.

Snakes bite if they are scared. – Snakes bite if they are scared.

If babies are hungry, they cry. – If babies are hungry, they cry.

The 1st Conditional

In the first conditional, the present tense is used first, and then the future tense. It is used to express events that are likely to happen in the future.

If it rains, they will cancel the trip. If it rains, they will cancel the trip.

She'll miss her bus if she doesn't leave now. “She’ll be late for the bus if she doesn’t get off now.”

If I meet her, I will tell her the truth. – If I meet her, I will tell her the truth.

Unlike the “zero” type, which talks about events in general, the first type describes a specific situation. Compare two examples:

If you sit in the rain, you get soaked. – If any person sits in the rain, he will get wet - this will be a natural consequence for anyone.

If you sit in the rain, you will get soaked. – If you sit in the rain today, you will get wet – we are talking about a certain situation.

The 2nd Conditional

In one part of the sentence the past tense is used, in the other - would and the infinitive. The second type of conditional has two uses.

• In the first, we talk about events in the future that may not be present. For example, we can represent something.

  If I won a lot of money, I would buy a huge house. – If I won a lot of money, I would buy a huge house.

  She would travel all over the world if she were rich. “She would travel all over the world if she were rich.”

  They would pass the exams if they ever studied. “They would pass the exams if they ever studied.”

  Please note: instead of were you can use was with the personal pronouns I, he, she, it.

• In the second case, we are talking about a result that cannot happen because the events are not true. Let's look at an example.

  If she had his address, she would visit him. – If she had his address, she would visit him (but she doesn’t have an address).

  If I were you, I wouldn’t speak with such mean personas him. – If I were in your place, I would not talk to such a vile person like him (but I, of course, am not you).

Second type of conditional sentences

Let's compare this type with the previous one. Its main semantic difference is the lower probability of performing the action.

If I had enough money I would buy two cars, a restaurant and a big house.

If I have enough money, I’ll buy a pair of new boots.

The first situation is less likely for the speaker; most likely, he will not have enough money to immediately buy two cars, a restaurant and a big house. The first option is more a dream than a reality. In the second case, the speaker assumes that he will most likely have enough money to buy a new pair of boots.

The 3rdConditional

In the third type of conditional sentences we use the Past Perfect after if, and then would have with Past Participle. Let us remind you that Past Participle is the 3rd form of verbs from the table (irregular), or regular verbs with –ed.

Here we are talking about events in the past that did not happen, but we imagine what the result would have been if they did happen. Examples will help you understand this type better.

If she had studied, she would have passed the exams. – If she had studied, she would have passed the exams (but she did not study and did not pass.)

If he had left early, he wouldn’t have missed his train. – If he had left earlier, he would not have been late for the train (but he was late because he was late).

She would have become a very good doctor if she hadn’t decided to become a teacher. “She would have become a good doctor if she had not decided to become a teacher.”

If I hadn't eaten so many cookies, I wouldn't have felt so sick. – If I hadn’t eaten so many cookies, I wouldn’t feel so bad.

She would have been on time if she hadn’t met her friend from school. “She would have come on time if she hadn’t met her friend from school.”

English conditional sentences - table

Video lessons will help you repeat the material:

Our actions depend on various conditions: desire, time, the result of previous actions, etc. In our native speech, every day we use phrases like: I will do it if I have time; I'll buy it if I have money and so on. There is no doubt that it is important to be able to compose such expressions for successful communication in a foreign language. That’s what we’ll do today by looking at conditional constructions, or, as they are more often called, sentences with if in the English language. From the material we will learn the nuances of their meaning, composition and use.

Expressions of conditions are complex sentences containing a main and subordinate parts, connected in meaning by a conditional-consequence connection. The main clause has the meaning of a consequence, and the subordinate clause has the meaning of the condition itself. Moreover, any of these constructions can appear at the beginning of a sentence. In Russian, we always separate them with a comma, and English allows this sign only in cases where the subordinate clause comes before the main one.

In general, English grammar divides conditional clauses into several types.

Zero Conditional

The name of this type of construction indicates that events are always real, i.e. familiar, well-known, obvious. These include facts, statements, and everyday activities. In fact, these are not even conditions, but patterns, customs, habits, traditions. Expressions of this type are used in the simple present tense.

• Ifheispupil, helearnsmanylessons– If he is a student, then he learns many lessons.
• If I am at my grandparents’ home, I always eat pies and pancakes –If I I'm at my grandmothers And grandfathers, I Always eat pies And pancakes.
• Ifyoureadabook, yougetknowledge– If you read a book, you gain knowledge.

Examples prove that the name of the group is justified, since the expressions contain more truisms than conditions.

Real (First Conditional)

With this construction, sentences in English express a high probability of events occurring. This is no longer 100% true, as in the first group, but in general, the fulfillment of the conditions is quite realistic. As a rule, such conditional expressions refer to the near future. It is important to note that the future tense is used only in the main part of the sentence, and subordinate constructions with If in such a situation are always used in the present.

• Ifwearefreetomorrow,wewillgotothecinema– If we are free tomorrow, we will go to the cinema.
• If it is cold, I will put on my warm sweater –IfwillCold,II'll put it onminewarmsweater.
• If you tell me the truth, I will give you 100$ —IfYouyou sayto methe truthII'll giveyou have 100$.

The English language is also characterized by the use of such complex sentences as a warning, a warning.

• Youwillhavesometroubleswithhealthifyoucontinuetoworkoutinthegyminthatway– You will have some health problems if you continue to exercise in the gym this way.
• Ifyoudrinkcoldlemonade, youwillcatchacold– If you drink cold lemonade, you will catch a cold.

Unreal in the present (Second Conditional)

Phrases denote a small probability of performing actions in the present or future tense. In principle, such events can happen, but the chance that they will actually happen is extremely small. The subordinate construction is translated into Russian by the phrase “if” and expresses wishes, hypotheses, thoughts about what could have been.

By construction, we note that the if condition is put in Past Simple, and the main part is conveyed by the auxiliary connective would + the initial form of the verb (without to).

• If I were at home, I would read a fairy tale to my little daughter –IfwouldIwasHouses,Iwouldreadmyyoungestdaughtersfairy tale
• Ifyouhelpedus,wewouldfinishourworkintime– If you had helped us, we would have finished our work on time.
• Ifshewereatthelesson, shewouldunderstandthesubjectbetter– If she had been present in the lesson, he would have understood this topic better.

Please note that in main sentences of this type, English grammar dictates the obligatory use of the form were for both singular and plural. In spoken language, many people neglect this rule and use was. But you can’t do this in writing.

The added value of the proposals of this group is a polite remark, advice.

• IfIwereyou, Iwouldwritealettertothem– If I were you, I would write them a letter.
• Iwouldnevershakehishand, ifIwereyou“I would never shake his hand if I were you.”

Unreal in the past (Third Conditional)

These are conditional combinations expressing regret that some events/actions did not happen or happened, but it would have been better not to have happened, in the past. Obviously, the past cannot be changed, so such constructions were called unrealistic.

These sentences with the conjunction if in English use a construction of the form Past Perfect in the subordinate part, and in the main combination “ would have+ participle II».

• If I hadn’t missed the train, I would have been at London then –IfwouldINotI'm lateontrain,IwaswouldThenVLondon.
• Iftheyhadtoldustheinformation,wewouldhavefoundcriminalmanearlier “If they had told us this information, we would have found the culprit earlier.”
• IwouldhaveboughtthisbookifIhadn't'tspentmymoneyonmagazines – I would have bought this book if I had not spent my money on magazines.

These subordinate clauses are translated into Russian in the same way as the unreal conditions of the present. It is necessary to distinguish what we mean in the present " if only now", and in the past - " if only then».

This type of conditional is also used to criticize actions committed by someone, the result of which cannot be changed.

• Ifyouhadwrittentherule, youwouldn't'thavemademistakesinyourworks – If you wrote down this rule, you would not make mistakes in your work.

Along with negative statements, the British also use this type of sentence to express positive actions.

• Hewouldn't'thavemethisfuturewifeifhehadn't'tgonetotheparty “He wouldn’t have met his future wife if he hadn’t gone to this party.”
• He wouldn’t have become a great writer, if he had worked as a manager all his life –HewouldNotbecamegreatwriter,Ifwouldallmylifehave workedmanager.

This was the last type of conditional sentence in the English language. All that remains is to summarize your knowledge and remember all the structures using a convenient table.

If clauses in English - summary table

Let us present all the rules for conditional sentences that the English language contains grammar, in the form of a general table. Conveniently structured material is easier to understand and quicker to remember. In addition, such a tablet is an excellent assistant when performing practical exercises.

We continue to study English grammar, and today we want to introduce you to a curious grammatical phenomenon in the English language. Is it a conditional mood or Conditional Mood . We will look at the types of this mood, examples of sentences with it, etc. How is the conditional mood constructed in English?

The conditional mood in English is a very interesting thing. As in Russian, the conditional mood in English indicates that an action can or should be performed under some condition. But still there are significant differences from Russian.

Sentences in the conditional mood are complex sentences, usually consisting of two simple ones, one of which is main and the other is dependent. The main clause expresses the condition of the action in the dependent clause.

The catch is that English has three cases or types of conditional, while Russian has only two. But if you look carefully, you will understand that everything is not so complicated.

In Russian: the first type expresses a real condition in the present tense; the second type expresses an unreal condition in the past tense.

• If I go home, I'll have lunch.
• If I went home, I would have lunch. (And since I didn’t go home, I didn’t have lunch, that is, the action is unrealistic under this condition)

In English: the first type expresses a real condition in the present tense; the second type expresses a real condition in the past tense; the third type indicates an unreal condition in the past tense. Let's follow the same sentence, but in English:

• If I go home, I will have lunch
• If I went home, I would have lunch
• If I had gone home, I would have had lunch.

Now let’s look at each type of Conditional Mood in the language we are studying separately.

The easiest one is the first type!

It really couldn't be easier. Here we are dealing with a real condition in the present tense.

Pay attention to the phrase If I have money, I buy a car (If I have money, I'll buy a car). The main part of this sentence can also be in the future tense: If I have money, I will buy a car.

For example:

• If you drink a lot of coffee, you have problems with your heart. Or: If you drink a lot of coffee, you will have problems with your heart. — If you drink a lot of coffee, you will have heart problems.

But a subordinate clause in English can never be in the future tense. After the word If the verb must be in the present tense Present Simple. That is, the subordinate clause is in the present tense, and most importantly - in the future.

Example sentences:

• If you eat a lot of sweets, you will have problems with your teeth. — If you eat a lot of sweets, you will have problems with your teeth
• I will speak with Tom, if I find him. — I'll talk to Tom if I find him.
• If we go home, we will have a rest. - If we go home, we will rest.

As we see, in each sentence there is a real action under a real condition.
Three types of English conditional

Second type of conditional

The second type expresses a real condition in the past tense. And here, as in the first case, we are dealing with a real action under a real condition. In this case, the subordinate clause should be in Past Simple, and most importantly - in Future in the Past.

Pay attention to the example sentences:

• If I had money, I would buy a flat. — If I had money, I would buy an apartment
• If you did your homework, you would get a good mark. — If you had done your homework, you would have gotten a good grade.

Instead of would in the main clause there may be should, could, might. For example:

• If you met Jim, you should speak with him. — If you met Jim, you would talk to him
• You could read the whole book, if you wanted. -You could read the whole book if you wanted.
• You might take my notebook, if I brought it. “You could have taken my laptop if I had brought it.”

Don't be afraid of the third type!

The third case of the conditional mood does not occur in Russian. But if you familiarize yourself with the scheme according to which it is built, then there is nothing complicated.

Please note: in the subordinate clause the verb is in Past Perfect, and in the main the scheme would + have + verb + ending -ed (or third form of the verb).

This type expresses an unreal, impossible condition in the past tense. Note:

• If you had won the competition, you would have gone to France. — If you won the competition, you would go to France. (But you didn’t win, so you won’t go, that is, action under this condition is impossible)
• If we had come on time, we would have met Ann. - If we had arrived on time, we would have found Anna. (But we didn’t arrive on time, so we didn’t find her; the action is unrealistic under this condition).

Here, as in the second type, the main clause can also contain verbs should, could, might. Eg:

• If she had spoken with her brother, he could have given his car. — If she had talked to her brother, he could have given him his car.
• You should have been more polite with mr Anders, if you had wanted. - You could be more polite to Mr. Anders if you wanted.
• If I had found Tom, I might have spoken with him about that case. - If I had found Tom, I would have talked to him about that incident.

The third type Conditional expresses an unreal action under an unreal condition.

Well, as we have seen, the conditional mood in English plays a very important role, and is an important part of English speech. Use it to express a condition in an action. You will definitely make friends with him. We wish you success!