1. Complete the UE by determining their type by the form of the verb in the first part of the sentences.
For example: If the film is boring we… (leave) at once. (If the film is boring we will leave at once.
She would look much younger if she… (be) slim. (She would look much younger if she were slim.) – She would look much younger if she were slim.
1. If the flight is delayed our guests… (be) late. (If the flight is delayed, our guests will be late.)
2. We would have gone to the beach if the rain... (stop). (We would go to the beach if the rain stopped.)
3. They will miss the train if they... (not run.) (They will miss the train if they don’t run.)
4. If you had given her the letter she … (tear) it to pieces. (If you gave her the letter, she would tear it to pieces.)
5. If Jack moves too slowly he… (not win) the game. (If Jack moves too slowly, he won't win the game.)
6. If I lost my job I… (move) to the country. (If I lost my job, I would move to the countryside.)
7. She would invite our kids if they... (behave) themselves. (She would invite our children if they behaved well.)
8. If Tom were more careful he… (not break) things. (If Tom had been more careful, he wouldn't have broken things.)
9. If she had had a car she... (drive) there. (If she had a car, she would have gotten there.)
10. You wouldn’t have got wet if you… (put on) your mackintosh. (You wouldn't get wet if you wore a raincoat.)
2. Make a list of what little Johnny dreams of using type II conditional sentences. Translate the resulting sentences.
For example: If I had much money I would buy a sports car. (If I had a lot of money, I would buy a sports car.)
If I had much money… …make a strawberry cake.
If I were tall… …buy a sports car.
If I knew French well… …save people.
If I could cook… …play basketball.
If I had a bunch of flowers… …move to Canada.
If I were a fireman… …give it to Alice.
3. Put the verbs from brackets into the required form, paying attention to the type of conditional sentences.
0 type
1. When my sister... (come) to town we... (go) to the cinema together. (When my sister comes to town, we go to the movies together.)
2. If my kids... (run) in the playground they... (become) very thirsty. (If my kids are running around on the playground, they get very thirsty.)
Type I
1. If it... (cost) too much I... (not take) it. (If it costs too much, I won't take it.)
2. She... (be) angry if you... (lose) this photo. (She'll be angry if you lose this photo.)
3. If you... (not eat up) the bread we... (feed) the birds in the garden. (If you don't eat the bread, we'll feed the birds in the garden.)
Type II
1. If I... (have) free time now I... (watch) my favorite film. (If I had free time Now, I would watch my favorite movie.)
2. If I… (be) you I… (not eat) fast food. (If I were you, I wouldn't eat fast food.)
3. His job... (be) so hard if he... (not have) a secretary. (His job would be so hard if he didn't have a secretary.)
III type
1. If you... (not smoke) so much you... (not be) in hospital now. (If you hadn't smoked so much, you wouldn't be in the hospital now.)
2. If we... (meet) him yesterday we... (call) you. (If we had met him yesterday, we would have called you.)
Answers:
1. will be
2. had stopped
3.don't run
4. would have torn
5. won’t win (will not win)
6.would move
7.behaved
8. wouldn't break
9. would have driven
10. had put on
If I were tall I would play basketball. (If I were tall, I would play basketball.)
If I knew French well I would move to Canada. (If I knew French well, I would move to Canada.)
If I could cook I would make a strawberry cake. (If I could cook, I would make strawberry cake.)
If I had a bunch of flowers I would give it to Alice. (If I had a bouquet of flowers, I would give it to Alice.)
If I were a fireman I would save people. (If I were a fireman, I would save people.)
0 type
1. comes – go
2. run – become
Type I
1. costs – will not take (won’t take)
2. will be – lose
3. don’t eat up – will feed
Type II
1. had – would watch
2. were – wouldn’t eat
3. would be – didn’t have
III type
1. hadn’t smoked – wouldn’t have been
2. had met – would have called
For example. If you (to be) free, I (to come) to see you.
If you are free, I shall come to see you.
If you were free, I should come to see you.
If you had been free, I should have come to see you.
If I (to see) her, I (to be) glad.
If I see her, I shall be glad.
If I saw her, I should be glad.
If I had seen her, I should have been glad.
1. If you (to be) busy, I (to leave) you alone. 2. If my friend (to come) to see me, I (to be) very glad. 3. If mother (to buy) a cake, we (to have) a very nice tea party. 4. If we (to receive) a telegram from him, we (not to worry). 5. If you (not to work) systematically, you (to fail) the exam. 6. If I (to live) in Moscow, I (to visit) the Tretyakov Gallery every year. 7. If I (to get) a ticket, I (to go) to the Philharmonic. 8. If I (to live) near a wood, I (to gather) a lot of mushrooms. 9. If my father (to return) early, we (to watch) TV together. 10. If she (to know) English, she (to try) to enter the university.
Answers: 1.1)If you are busy, I shall leave you alone. 2) If you were busy, I should leave you alone. 3)If you had been busy, I should have left you alone. 2. 1) If my friend comes to see me, I shall be very glad. - If a friend comes, I will be glad. 2) If my friend came to see me, I should be very glad. - If a friend came, I would be glad. (dream) 3) If my friend had to come to see me, I should have been very glad. — If a friend had come (but he didn’t), I would have been glad. (regret) 3. 1) If mother buys a cake, we shall have a very nice tea party. 2) If mother bought a cake, we should have a very nice tea party. 3) If mother had bought a cake, we should have had a very nice tea party. 4. 1) If we receive a telegram from him, we shall not worry. 2) If we received a telegram from him, we should not worry. 3)If we had received a telegram from him, we should not have worried. 5. 1)If you don’t work systematically, you will fail the exam. 2) If you did not work systematically, you would fail the exam. 3)If you had not worked systematically, you would have failed the exam. 6. 1)If I live in Moscow, I shall visit the Tretyakov Gallery every year. 2) If I lived in Moscow, I should visit the Tretyakov Gallery every year. 3) If I had lived in Moscow, I should have visited the Tretyakov Gallery every year. 7. 1) If I get a ticket, I shall go to the Philharmonic. 2) If I got a ticket, I should go to the Philharmonic. 3) If I had got a ticket, I should have gone to the Philharmonic. 8. 1) If I live near a wood, I shall gather a lot of mushrooms. 2) If I lived near a wood, I should gather a lot of mushrooms. 3) If I had lived near a wood, I should have gathered a lot of mushrooms. 9. 1) If my father returns early, we shall watch TV together. 2) If my father returned early, we should watch TV together. 3) If my father had returned early, we should have watched TV together. 10. 1) If she knows English, she will try to enter the university. 2) If she knew English, she would try to enter the university. 3) If she had known English, she would have tried to enter the university.
Exercise 2. Rewrite each of the following sentences twice, forming sentences of an unreal condition: a) relating to the present or future (II type); b) related to the past (III type).
1. If I am not too busy, I shall go to the concert. 2. They will all be surprised if I make such a mistake. 3. If he doesn’t come in time, shall we have to wait for him? 4. If no one comes to help, we shall be. obliged to do the work ourselves. 5. If you put on your glasses, you will see better. 6. What shall we do if they are late? 7. Will you be very angry if we don’t come? 8. Will he be very displeased if I don’t ring him up?
Answers: 1.1) I were not too busy, I should go to the concert. 2) If I had not been too busy, I should have gone to the concert. 2. 1) They would all be surprised if I made such a mistake. 2) They would all have been very surprised if I had made such a mistake. 3. 1)If he didn’t come in time, should we have to wait for him? 2) If he hadn’t come in time, should we have had to wait for him? 4. 1) If no one came to help, we should be obliged to do the work ourselves. 2) If no one had come to help, we should have been obliged to do the work ourselves. 5. 1)If you put on your glasses, you would see better. 2)f you had put on your glasses, you would have seen better. 6. 1)What should we do if they were late? 2) What should we have done if they had been late? 7. 1)Would you be very angry if we didn’t come? 2) Would you have been very angry if we hadn’t come? 8. 1)Would he be very displeased if I didn’t ring him up? 2) Would he have been very displeased if I hadn’t rung him up?
Exercise 3. Open the brackets using the verbs in the required form.
1. If he were not such an outstanding actor, he (not to have) so many admirers. 2. If you (to give) me your address, I shall write you a letter. 3. If she (not to be) so absent-minded, she would be a much better student. 4. If my sister does not go to the south, we (to spend) the summer in St. Petersburg together. 5. If they (not to go) to Moscow last year, they would not have heard that famous musician. 6. If you (not to get) tickets for the Philharmonic, we shall stay at home. 7. If you were not so careless about your health, you (to consult) the doctor. 8. I should be delighted if I (to have) such a beautiful fur coat. 9. If it (to rain), we shall have to stay at home. 10. If he (to work) hard, he would have achieved great progress. 11. If it is not too cold, I (not to put) on my coat. 12. I (to write) the composition long ago if you had not disturbed me. 13. If he (not to read) so much, he would not be so clever. 14. If my friend (to be) at home, he will tell us what to do.
Answers: 1. He wouldn't have. 2. You give. 3. She weren't. 4. We shall spend. 5. They had not gone. 6. You don't get. 7. You would consult. 8. I had. 9. It rains. 10. He had worked. 11. I shall not put. 12. I should have written. 13. He did not read. 14. My friend is.
Exercise 4. Form conditional sentences.
1. Not is busy and does not come to see us. If... 2. The girl did not study well last year and received bad marks. If... 3. He broke his bicycle and so he did not go to the country. If... 4. He speaks English badly: he has no practice. If... 5. I had a bad headache yesterday, that’s why I did not come to see you. If... 6. The ship was sailing near the coast, that’s why it struck a rock. If... 7. He was not in town, therefore he was not present at our meeting. If... 8. The pavement was so slippery that I fell and hurt my leg. If... 9. The sea is rough, and we cannot sail to the island. If... 10. They made a fire, and the frightened wolves ran away. If... 11. It is late, and I have to go home. If... 12. I was expecting my friend to come, that’s why I could not go to the cinema with you. If... 13. He always gets top marks in mathematics because it is his favorite subject and he works a lot at it. If... 14. I did not translate the article yesterday because I had no dictionary. If... 15. We lost our way because the night was pitch-dark. If... 16. The box was so heavy that I could not carry it. That's why I took a taxi. If...
Answers: 1. If he were not busy, he would come to see us. 2. If the girl had studied well last year, she would not have received bad marks. 3. If he had not broken his bicycle, he would have gone to the country. 4. If he had (more) practice, he would speak English better. 5. If I had not had a bad headache yesterday, I should have come to see you. 6. If the ship had not sailed near the coast, it would not have struck a rock. 7. If he had been in town, he would have been present at our meeting. 8. If the pavement had not been so slippery, I should not have fallen and hurt my leg. 9. If the sea were not (so) rough, we should (could) sail to the island. 10. If they had not made a fire, the wolves would not have run away. 11. If it were not late, I should not have to go home. 12. If I had not expected my friend to come, I should (could) have gone to the cinema with you. 13. If mathematics were not his favorite subject and he did not work a lot at it, he would not always get top marks. 14. If I had a dictionary, I should have translated the article yesterday. 15. If the night had not been pitch-dark, we should not have lost our way. 16. If the box had not been so heavy, (I could have carried it and) I should not have taken a taxi.
Exercise 5. Open the parentheses, using the required form of the subjunctive mood after “I wish.”
1. I wish I (to have) a season ticket to the Philharmonic next winter. 2. I wish I (to consult) the teacher when I first felt that mathematics was too difficult for me. 3. I love sunny weather. I wish it (to be) warm and fine all the year round. 4. I wish I (not to lend) Nick my watch: he has broken it.5. I wish you (to send) word as soon as you arrive. 6. I wish I (not to have) to do my homework every day. 7. I wish you (to go) skiing with me yesterday: I had such a good time! 8. I wish I (to know) Spanish. 9. I wish I (not to drink) so much coffee in the evening: I could not sleep half the night. 10. I wish you (to read) more in the future. 11. I wish I never (to suggest) this idea. 12. I wish I (to be) at yesterday’s party: it must have been very merry. 13. I wish we (to meet) again next summer. 14. Don’t you wish you (to see) that performance before? 15. They wished they (not to see) this horrible scene again. 16. The unfortunate pupil wished he (not to forget) to learn the rule.
Answers: 1. I had. 2. I had consulted. 3. It were. 4. I didn't have tape. 5. You sent. 6. I didn't have. 7. You had gone. 8. I knew. 9. I wasn't drunk. 10. You read. 11. I had never suggested. 12. I had been. 13. We met. 14. You had seen. 15. They didn't see. 16. He had not forgotten.
Exercise 6. Paraphrase the following sentences using “I wish”.
E.g. It's a pity you are ill.
I wish you weren't ill.
1. Unfortunately they won’t return before Christmas. 2. The student was sorry he had not studied the material better and had shown such poor knowledge at the exam. 3. It’s a pity that you did not send for us last night. 4. It’s a pity you are not with us these days. 5. My friend regrets not having entered the university. 6. He was sorry not to have enough time to finish his paper. 7. It’s a pity we shan’t be able to reach home before teatime. 8. I am sorry I made you upset by telling you this news. 9. What a pity you don’t know enough physics.
Answers: 1.I wish they returned before Christmas. 2. The student wished he had studied the material better and shown better knowledge at the exam. 3. I wish you had sent for us last night. 4. I wish you were with us these days. 5. My friend wishes he had entered the university. 6. He wished he had enough time to finish his paper. 7. I wish we were able to reach home before teatime. 8. I wish I had not made you upset by telling you this news. 9. I wish you knew enough physics.
Exercise 7. Translate into English using “I wish”.
- 1. a) It’s a pity that he’s so frivolous
- b) It’s a pity that he is not serious enough.
- 2. a) I now regret that I did not listen to his advice,
- b) I now regret that I followed his advice.
- 3. a) It’s a pity that you came so late,
- b) It’s a pity that you didn’t come earlier.
- 4. a) It’s a shame that we left before he arrived.
- b) It’s a shame that we didn’t wait for his arrival.
- 5. a) Unfortunately, they don’t know anything yet,
- b) Unfortunately, they already know about this.
Answers: 1.a) I wish he were not so light-minded. b) I wish he were more serious. 2. a) Now I wish I had listened to his advice (had followed his advice). b) Now I wish I had not followed his advice. 3. a) I wish you had not come so late. b) I wish you had come earlier. 4. a) I wish we had not gone before he came. b) I wish we had waited until he came. 5. a) I wish they knew it already. b) I wish they did not know about it.
Exercise 8. Translate into English using “I wish”.
1. Oh, if you had told her about this last Sunday! 2. It would be nice if we had a vacation now. 3. If only he would come tonight! 4. We regretted not asking him for advice. 5. It’s a pity that you refused to take part in the picnic. 6. It’s a pity that you are not interested in this subject. 7. We would like you to mention these facts. 8. It’s a pity that we missed the train. 9. It’s a pity that you turned on the TV so late. 10. If only I were free now! 11. It’s a pity that I didn’t have much time yesterday. 12. It would be nice if you wrote to her about this yourself. 13. It’s a pity that you didn’t pay attention to his warning. 14. He regretted leaving the university. 15. It’s a pity that it’s too late to go there. 16. Oh, if only I had arrived at the station on time! 17. It’s a pity that you haven’t read such a wonderful book. 18. It’s a pity that she makes so many mistakes in her speech. 19. It’s a pity that you didn’t visit the exhibition. 20. It’s a pity that I found out about this so late. 21. What a pity that we didn’t find Kolya at home. 22. She regretted that she had not told us this story earlier.
Answers: 1. Oh, how I wish you had told her about it last Sunday! 2. I wish we had holidays now. 3. Oh, I wish he came tonight! 4. We wished we had asked his advice. 5. I wish you had not refused to take part in the picnic. 6. I wish you were interested in this subject. 7. We wish you mentioned these facts. 8. I wish we had not missed the train. 9. I wish you had turned on the TV earlier. 10. I wish I were free now! 11. I wish I had had more time yesterday. 12. I wish you wrote her about it yourself. 13. I wish you had paid attention to his warning. 14. He wished he had not left the university. 15. I wish it were not too late to go there. 16. Oh, how I wish I had come to the railway station on time! 17. I wish you had read this wonderful book. 18. I wish she did not make so many mistakes in her speech. 19. I wish you had visited the exhibition. 20. I wish I had learned about it earlier. 21. I wish we had found Nick at home. 22. She wished she had told us this story before.
Please note mixed cases the use of tenses in conditional sentences of type II and III:
If I were acquainted with this famous professor, I should have run him up yesterday.
The condition refers to the present tense (type II), and the consequence refers to the past (type III).
If I had written the composition yesterday, I should be free now.
The condition refers to the past tense (type III), and the consequence refers to the present (type II).
Exercise 9. Form conditional sentences. Don't forget about mixed cases.
1. I shall go to the dentist because I have a toothache. If... 2. He is groaning with pain now because he did not go to the dentist to have his tooth filled. If... 3. She does not go to the polyclinic because she does not need any treatment. If... 4. He will not go to see the play as he was present at the dress rehearsal. If … 5. He went to Moscow specially to hear this famous singer because he is fond of him. If... 6. We did not go to the cafeteria to have a glass of lemonade because we were not thirsty. If... 7. She could not mend her dress herself because she had no needle. If... 8. He is not a first-class sportsman now because he did not train enough last year. If... 9. The pupils were active because they wanted to understand this difficult material. If... 10. The pupils did not understand the homework because they were inattentive. If... 11. The pupils worked hard and did well in their exams. If... 12. She won’t try to enter the foreign languages department because she is not good at foreign languages. If...
Answers: 1. If I did not have a toothache, I should not go to the dentist. 2. If he had gone to the dentist to have his tooth filled, he would not be groaning with pain now. 3. If she needed some treatment, she would go to the polyclinic. 4. If he had not been present at the dress rehearsal, he would go to see the play. 5. If he were not fond of this famous singer, he would not have gone to Moscow specially to hear him. 6. If we had been thirsty, we should have gone to the cafeteria to have a glass of lemonade. 7. If she had had a needle, she would (could) have mended her dress herself. 8. If he had trained enough last year, he would be a first-class sportsman now. 9. If the pupils had not wanted to understand this difficult material, they would not have been so active. 10. If the pupils had been more attentive, they would have understood the homework. 11. If the pupils had not worked hard, they would not have done well in their exams. 12. If she were good at foreign languages, she would try to enter the foreign languages department.
Exercise 10. Translate into English.
1. He has changed so much! If you met him, you wouldn't recognize him. 2. If I were you, I would consult with my parents. 3. If the tram arrived now, we wouldn’t be late. 4. If he knew that this would upset you, he would be more careful. 5. If you could help me solve this problem, I would be very grateful to you. 6. It’s a pity that it didn’t occur to us to look for the book in the library earlier. We would have done the work on time and would now be free. 7. It’s a pity that we had so few lessons. If we worked more, we would know the language better. 8. If he had not regularly attended sports training, he would not have achieved such success in competitions. 9. If you had warned me in advance, I would have already been in Moscow. 10. It’s a pity that she has already left. If you had called earlier, she would be here now. 11. If he had been smarter, he would not have gone into the forest yesterday. 12. If she had not sent this letter yesterday, my brother would be at home now. 13. What would we do now if mom hadn’t baked a pie yesterday? 14. It’s a pity that you haven’t heard Rachmaninov’s music. If you had heard it, you would know what a wonderful composer he is. 15. I am sure that everyone would be happy if the evening took place.
), conditions second type (Conditional 2)- unrealistic. Conditional sentences of the second type are used to express imaginary situations in the present and future; situations that contradict the facts. Actions that convey conditional sentences of the second type, unrealistic or unlikely.
Conditional sentences always have two parts: conditional (if-clause) And main (main clause). Conditional sentences of the second type are formed very simply:
IN conditional part(after IF ) is used only past tense, and in basic: would with infinitive without the particle to (first form of the verb, V1).
If the conditional part comes before the main part, it is separated by a comma. If the conditional part comes after the main part, it is not separated by a comma.
To correctly understand the essence of using conditional sentences of the second type, let's imagine:
1. If I lived by the sea, I would sunbathe every day.
2. If we had a million, we would help the poor.
3. If he knew English, he would find a good job.
All these situations are unrealistic because:
1. I don’t live by the sea and it’s unlikely that I will.
2. We don’t have a million and won’t have it in the near future.
3. He doesn’t know English yet, but he’s working on it.
To translate these sentences into English, we use a sentence scheme:
|
IF Past Simple, |
||
|
If I lived near the sea, |
sunbathe every day. |
|
|
If we had a million, |
||
|
If he knew English, |
find a good job. |
As you can see, in the conditional part both Russian and English use the past tense (If I lived... - If I lived...), and for all persons (I, he, we) we use would with a verb in the first form.
EXERCISE: Complete these sentences yourself and come up with a few more imaginary situations:
If I lived near the sea, ...
If I had a million, ...
If I knew English very well, ...
In conditional sentences of the second type, it is permissible to replace was with were for all persons:
If I were very rich, I would buy what I want. But I'm not so rich. - If I were rich, I would buy everything I want. But I'm not so rich.
If he were strong, he would lift this box. Unfortunately, he is not strong enough. - If he was strong, he would have lifted this box. Unfortunately, he is not strong enough.
If she were here, she would help us. She is not here now, so she can't help us. - If she were here, she would help us. She is not here now, so she cannot help us.
Although there is no difference in meaning between was and were, in sentences that indicate unlikely actions(as in the first and second examples), were sounds more formally. And in sentences indicating incredible actions(as in the third example), it is preferable to always use were .
These were basic rules, which are given at the pre-intermediate level, they are quite simple and you should not have problems using Conditional 2 at this stage. Next we will look at what changes can occur in the main and conditional parts of conditional sentences of the second type.
Conditional part
In addition to Past Simple, Past Continuous can be used in the conditional part, if we imagine the action occurring at the moment of speech:
|
IF Past Continuous, |
If she were now was walking to the store, she would buy you some sweets, but she’s going to work. -If she were going to the shop now, she would buy you some sweets, but she is going to work.
If I were now led car, I would drive slowly. And you're driving fast. - If I were driving, I would drive slowly. And you are driving fast.
Main part
In the main part, instead of would, you can find modal verbs could and might.
Could expresses ability (ability), A might- possibility, probability (possibility):
|
IF Past Continuous, |
If people had wings, they could fly. - If people had wings, they could fly.
If I were taller, I might be a good basketball player. - If I were taller, I could be a good basketball player.
Now let's take a look various designs, which are used in Conditional 2 and their functions. Each design has its own characteristics and meanings.
If I were you...
Conditional 2 is used to give advice. To do this, put yourself in the place of another person: If I were you (his/her/your) I would... .
Only in English version the word "place" is not present in the sentence, but instead they say: If I were you... - If I were you,... :
If I were you, I would accept this job offer. - If I were you, I would accept this job offer.
What would you do if you were me? - What would you do if you were in my place?
If I were him, I would tell the truth. - If I were him, I would tell the truth.
The question arises! How to correctly: If I were him/her or If I were he/she ?
We can say that both options exist, but the option with he/she described in old grammar reference books, it is offered as a formal, “written” version. In modern spoken English it is acceptable to use him/her.
Instead of If I were you you can say If I were in your position:
If I were in your position, I would stay at home. - If I were you, I would stay at home.
If I were in his position, I wouldn't get angry. - If I were in his place, I wouldn't get angry.
It is also possible to use the inverted version, without if: Were I you ... :
Were I you, I would call them back. - If I were you, I would call them back.
Were I you, I wouldn't spend so much time surfing the net. - If I were you, I wouldn't spend so much time on the Internet.
If it were not for...
There is also a construction If it were not for (If not...), indicating why something happened or did not happen.
If it were not for your help, I would be unemployed. - If it weren't for your help, I would be unemployed.
If it weren't for Mary, we wouldn't know the truth. - If it weren’t for Mary, we wouldn’t know the truth.
This design can be inverted(reverse), without if: Were it not for (If not...). The inverted version is used in formal contexts and, unlike the direct one, never does not use short form (weren"t):
Were it not for your urgent measures, we would have problems. “If it weren’t for your urgent measures, we would have had problems.”
Were it not for his support, I would be still depressed. “If it weren’t for his support, I would still be depressed.”
You can add for the fact that to both constructions:
If it weren't for the fact that you helped me, I would be unemployed. - If it weren't for the fact that you helped me, I would be unemployed.
Were it not for the fact that he supported me, I would be still depressed. “If it weren’t for the fact that he supported me, I would still be depressed.”
Please note that in the above constructions unacceptable use was instead were.
If I were to...
If you want to emphasize that the situation in the present, which the conditional part of the sentence describes, unlikely, unrealistic or very unpleasant, then instead of a semantic verb in the conditional part, you can use the If I were to construction:
If I were to lose all my money, I would be in despair. - If I lost all my money, I would be desperate. (It's an unpleasant thought)
If she were to have a car accident, she would call her husband. - If she had an accident, she would call her husband. (This is a bad situation)
This design can also refer to future actions, indicating that a future action is unlikely or very unpleasant:
If I were to immigrate in the future, I would miss my country. - If I had to move to another country in the future, I would miss my country. (I'm not planning to move, that's unlikely)
If she were to tell my secret, I would not be on speaking terms with her. “If she told me my secret, I wouldn’t talk to her.” (I'm sure she won't tell)
If only...
If you want to express regret about a current or future situation, you can use If only ... clauses:
If only I had some free time - If only I had free time/It’s a pity that I don’t have free time.
If only I knew English. - If only I knew English./It’s a pity that I don’t know English.
Offers with If only identical in meaning to sentences that use the construction I wish. You can find out more about such offers with I wish from.
Here, perhaps, is all the basic information about conditional sentences of the second type (Conditional 2). Let's summarize:
1. Conditional sentences of the second type (Conditional 2) denote unlikely, imaginary, unreal actions in the present and future.
2. In the conditional part (after IF) used only past tense(Simple or Continuous), and in the main one: would with infinitive. Except would, modal verbs can be used in the main part could And might.
3. In the conditional part, was is replaced by were.
4. Constructions with Conditional 2 have various functions:
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Design |
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If I were you... If I were in your position... Were you... |
We give advice: If I were you... |
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If it were not for (the fact that) ... Were it not for (the fact that) ... |
We say why something happened or didn’t happen: If not... |
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If I were to... |
We emphasize that the situation is very unlikely or very unpleasant: If... |
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If only... |
We express our regret regarding the current or future situation: It's a pity that... If only.... |
To reinforce the rules you have learned, make up a few of your own examples and write them down. If the examples are from your personal experience, it will be easier for you to remember them. Good luck in learning English!
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We continue to delve into conditional sentences. I believe that after reading the article, watching the video and completing the tasks without errors)) you have figured out the structure of conditional sentences and are ready for a new portion of In today's article
“Conditional sentences - would, should, were. How not to get confused? I will comment on some features of conditional sentences that you need to know so as not to get confused.
1. Main and subordinate parts
Conditional sentences consist of main(from which we ask the question) and subordinate clause(to which we ask a question).
Example 1: If you finish your work tonight, we will go for a walk. (If you finish work tonight, we will go for a walk). — First Conditional, in which we will go for a walk — main part, since from it we ask a question to the subordinate clause: we will go for a walk under what condition? Answer: If you finish your work tonight.
When Speaking/Writing, it is very important to understand in which part which idea at what time you want to express, because will and would are NOT used in subordinate clauses (exception - see example 6.
2. Condition - consequence or consequence - condition
Subordinate clause (if), expressing the condition and main part (will, would), expressing a consequence, can change places in a sentence. BUT!! The times in these parts do not change.
Example 2: If you answered the phone, I would be grateful to you.
I would be grateful to you if you answered the phone.
(If you would answer the phone, I would be grateful. or I would be grateful if you would answer the phone.) - Second Conditional.
3. Punctuation in conditional sentences
Comma separates the subordinate and main parts, provided that the subordinate clause comes first, that is, before the main part.
Example 3. If I had received your e-mail , I would have replied immediately. BUT! I would have replied immediately if I had received the e-mail. (If I had received your letter, I would have answered you immediately.) - Third Conditional
4. Will/would in the subordinate clause (very important!)
Often the stumbling block for students studying Type 1 conditional sentences (First Conditional) is the verb to be. As I said above (see point 1. Main and subordinate parts), will and would are NOT used in subordinate clauses). Therefore, no matter how much it seems to you that it sounds better, (If I will be) - this is one of the typical mistakes of students in English.
Example 4. If I am at home in the afternoon, I will help you (to) cook dinner.
If I'm home in the afternoon, I'll help you prepare dinner.
But! Exception to the rule!
If you would like to politely express a REQUEST, then will/would can be used in the if part. In this case, the condition as such is lost, and the subordinate clause means “if you wouldn’t mind” (if you don’t mind)
Example 5. If you will fill in this form now, you can hand it in to reception. If you fill out this form now (if you don't mind, please), you can leave it with the secretary. = If you wouldn't mind filling in this form now, you can leave it with reception.
Example 6. If you would call will explain the task to you.= If you wouldn't mind calling us in 5 minutes, the teacher will explain the task to you.= If you ‘d be so kind as to call us, the teacher will explain the task to you. If you would be so kind as to call us in 5 minutes, the teacher will explain the task to you.
5. Would - would, perfect - 3 conditional
The particle “would” is the word “would” (and vice versa). Having seen while writing or hearing sentences with “would” (or with the particle “would”) while listening, you understand that we are talking about unrealistic actions, that is, 2, 3 or Mixed Conditionals are possible.
Example 7. If you had stayed at home, it would n't have happened. If would you stayed at home this would didn't happen.
And in order to accurately remember the structure of the past unreal action (3 Conditional), make an association with the perfects (if + past perfect, would + present perfect).
Example 8. If the performance hadn't finished on time, we would have missed the bus. If the show hadn't ended on time, we would have missed the bus.
6. WERE for all persons
The verb to be is used in the form were with all singular persons. and many more numbers. (However, in colloquial speech (not in formal situations) was is also used.)
Example 9. If he were here, he would understand me.
If he were here, he would understand me.
Example 10. If you come on time, don’t call me. If you come on time, don't call me.
Example 11. Don’t wake me up if you get home late, will you? Don't wake me up if you come home late, okay? (!!! Pay attention to the translation of the word “good?”)
Example 12. Shall we go out if the weather is good? Shall we go for a walk if the weather is good?
8. Should in conditional sentences
1. In order to emphasize formality, omit IF and put SHOULD or WERE. 
Example 13. Should you have any further questions, please contact me. Please contact us if you have any questions.
2. And to show low probability of assumption(the condition is unlikely to happen), in addition to should they also use were:
Example 14. If the refrigerator should break down, you would repair it at your expense. If the refrigerator were to break (which is unlikely), you would have to repair it at your own expense.
Example 15. If I were to talk to her tomorrow, she would forgive me for forgetting her birthday. If I spoke to her tomorrow (which is unlikely), she would forgive me for forgetting her birthday.
9. Modal verbs in conditional sentences
In both parts of conditional sentences, you can use modal verbs, especially can, could, may, should.
Example 16. I could speak English better if I tried. I could speak English better if I tried.
Example 17. If you had called all your friends in, I might have come. If you invited all your friends, maybe I would come.
10. Questions in conditional sentences
If it is difficult to immediately translate a question containing a condition, make a statement out of it, translate it by defining , and then form a question, guided by tips, for example, from the article. Practice:
- Would you mind if I used your computer to send a letter?
- What would you do if you were me?
- What will you do if there is a fire in the building?
- What would happen if you lost your certificate?
- What will you do if he doesn't call?
How to write a sentence with if in English? After all, in Russian we use them every day:
“We will have a picnic in the park if the weather is good. If she learns English, she will find a good job. If you don't hurry up, we'll miss the train."
All these sentences contain a certain condition, if fulfilled or not fulfilled, the action itself will be performed. In English such sentences are called conditional.
There are several types of such offers. In this article I will tell you about conditional sentences of the first type.
In the article you will learn:
- Rules and schemes for the formation of affirmative sentences
Rules for using the first type of conditional sentences in English
Conditional sentences of the first type (First conditional) are used when we talking about real future events. That is, if the condition is met, then the action will occur in the future.
For example:
If the weather is warm (condition), we will go for a walk (future action).
They will go to the cinema (action in the future) if they leave work early (condition).
Let's look at how to correctly construct such sentences in English.
Rules for the formation of conditional sentences of the first type in English
Conditional sentences consist of 2 parts:
- main part - an action that will happen in the future
- conditions - events that must happen
A conditional sentence can begin with either the main part or the condition.
Let's look at the formation of each of these parts.
Main part
The main part contains an action that will happen in the future. Therefore, in this part we use the Future Simple tense, which is formed using the verb will.
When constructing a sentence, we place this verb after the actor performing the action.
Also in this part, instead of will, the following words can be used:
- shall - must/should
- should - should
- would - will
- can - can
- could - could
- may - may/possibly
- might - perhaps/can
He will go to the shop, …….
He will go to the store, …….
She can open the window, ……
She can open the window......
He should lock a door, ……
He should lock the door......
Conditional part
This part of the sentence contains a certain condition, upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of which the action from the main part will occur.
In this part we use the Present Simple tense (simple present), despite the fact that we translate it into Russian into the future tense.
In this tense, we do not change the verb in any way if the actions are performed: I (I), you (you), they (they), we (we). If the actions are performed by: he (he), she (she), it (it), then we add the ending -s/-es to the verb.
The conditional part begins with the word if, which translates as “if”.
Also, instead of if the following can be used:
- When - when
- While - while, while, during
- Before - before
- After - after
- As soon as - as soon as
- Until (till) - until, until this moment
If I work hard, ……
If I work hard,…….
If he call s me,……
If he calls me.....
If she teach es you,……
If she teaches you,…….
To avoid mistakes, remember: we don't put will after if
By combining the two parts, we get the following scheme for the formation of the first type of conditional sentences:
She will call me if she goes to the cinema.
She will call me if she goes to the cinema.
He will come if you call him.
He will come if you call him.
They will help her if she asks them.
They will help her if she asks.
We can swap the main part and the condition, but the rules for the formation of these parts will not change in any way. Only a comma is added, which now separates the two parts.
If he tries hard, he will succeed.
If he tries, he will succeed.
If they study hard, they will pass an exam.
If they study hard, they will pass the exam.
If she feels well, she will come.
If she feels good, she will come.
Conditional sentences of the first type with negation
In such sentences we can also use negation if:
- an action will happen provided that something does not happen(negation in part with condition)
For example: I will arrive on time if I don’t get stuck in traffic. - the action will not happen unless something happens(negation in the main part)
For example: She won't come to the party if she works. - the action will not happen unless something happens(negation in both parts)
For example: They won't come unless you call them.
Let's consider each case.
Negation in the main part
To make the main part negative, we put not after will.
Most often we use the abbreviation: will + not = won’ t. The outline of such a proposal would be as follows:
They won't go to the gym if they get tired.
They won't go to the gym if they're tired.
She won't sleep, if she prepares for an exam.
She won't sleep if she studies for the exam.
Negation in part with condition
The negation in this part is formed using auxiliary verb we use do/does of the Present Simple tense and the negative particle not. Do when we say I (I), you (you), they (them), we (we). Does when we say she (she), he (he), it (it).
Here we also use abbreviations:
do + not = don"t
does + not = doesn’t
We place them after the character.
The sentence formation scheme will be:
She will leave if you don't call her.
She will leave if you don't call her.
He will be late if he doesn't hurry.
He'll be late if he doesn't hurry up.
Negation in both parts
Negation can appear in two parts at once. The education scheme will be as follows:
As you can see, in the first part we add not to will, in the second we put don"t/doesn"t after the character.
They won't buy a new car, if they don't sell an old one.
They won't buy a new car unless they sell the old one.
She won't go abroad, if she doesn't find a job.
She won't go abroad unless she finds a job.
Now let's look at how to ask an interrogative sentence with a condition.
Question with conditional sentence of the first type in English
When we ask a question, we find out whether a person will do something under certain conditions or not.
To build a question, we only need to change the main part. To do this, we move will to the first place in the sentence.
The part that contains the condition does not need to be changed.
The outline of such a proposal:
Please note that when we ask a question, the main part always comes first.
Will we go to a park if you finish your work?
Shall we go to the park if you finish work?
Will she get a new job if she learns English?
Will she get a job if she learns English?
Since the question is asked to the main part, then:
- a short positive answer will contain yes, the agent and will.
Will he take a taxi if he misses a bus? Yes, he will.
He will take a taxi if he misses the bus. Yes, he will.
- a short negative answer will contain no, actor and won't.
Will they wait for me if I come with them? No,they won't.
Will they wait for me if I go with them? No, they won't wait.
So, in conditional sentences of the first type, the main thing to remember is that in the part with the condition (if), we do not use the future tense (will). Since this mistake is the most common one when studying this topic. To consolidate the composition of such sentences, do a consolidation task.
Reinforcement task
Translate the following sentences into English:
1. If you see Tom, tell him to call me.
2. If I drink coffee, I won't sleep.
3. She will meet me if she doesn't work.
4. He will get a job if he moves.
5. They won't make a cake unless they go to the store.
6. We won't go to the cinema if she comes.
Leave your answers in the comments below the article.
