This topic is one of the most serious in English grammar. By learning a language at the initial stage, you can do without this knowledge for some time. But the higher your level, the more you will have a desire to diversify and complicate your speech, making it closer to what native speakers speak. At this point, there will be a need to study the conditions: their meaning, varieties, methods of formation and examples of use. This article will help with that.
Where are they used?
In English, as in Russian, all sentences are divided into simple and complex. And the latter, in turn, can be complex and complex. The first type does not create great difficulties when learning grammar foreign language. But in the case of the second, there are some nuances.
Consider a typical one in English:
If (when) the weather is fine, I’ll go for a walk - If (when) the weather is fine, I’ll go for a walk.
IN in this case you can easily see two components:
- I'll go for a walk - main clause;
- if (when) the weather is fine - condition clause or time clause.
What do they mean?
In the example discussed above, the main sentence expresses the thought: “What will happen?”, and the subordinate clause expresses the thought “Under what condition (or at what time, when) will this happen?”
Such sentences express an inextricable semantic and grammatical connection between the main and subordinate parts. In general, subordinate constructions can express the most different meanings: mode of action and degree, place, time, condition, cause, effect, purpose, comparison, concession. But in this article we will talk about only two types, expressing situations of time and conditions.
In speech, such constructions express logical, spatiotemporal and cause-and-effect relationships. Therefore, the advanced learner of English needs to understand when to use clauses and clauses.
Used conjunctions
It is characteristic that in complex sentences main part invariably one, but there may be several subordinate clauses. All of them are directly dependent (logical and grammatical) on the main component and are attached to it with the help of various conjunctions and allied expressions. Here are the most common ones:
- if - if;
- in case - in case;
- when - when;
- while - while, while;
- as soon as (as long as) - as soon as;
- until - not yet, until;
- after - after;
- before - before;
- unless (if not) - if not.
Please note: the conjunction used does not always help determine A. This is often necessary to apply the grammatical rule discussed later in the article. To accurately confirm that this is a sentence with a subordinate clause or time, you need to ask a question to the subordinate part.
Remember also that a sentence can begin with either a main clause or a subordinate clause. Is it difficult not to get confused? Just pay attention to which part of the sentence the conjunction is in (one or another from the list presented above).
What is a subordinate tense?
This type includes a part that is subordinate to the main one, while answering the questions: “When?”, “How long?”, “How long ago?”, “Since when?”, “Until when?” etc.
To attach subordinate clauses to the main part, conjunctions are used: when, after, before, until and others with a similar meaning. However, in order to make sure that it is the meaning of time that is being expressed, and not some other, it is most reliable to ask a question.
What is a subordinate clause?
Such grammatical constructions answer the question: “Under what conditions?” They are quite varied and are joined by conjunctions if, in case, unless, etc. But it does not always guarantee that the meaning of the condition is realized in the sentence. Because in many cases, the phrase, for example, with if, is translated not “if”, but “whether”. Compare:
- I’ll come if they invite me - I’ll come if they invite me.
- I don’t know if they will invite me - I don’t know if they will invite me.
Subordinate clauses in English are found in sentences that take place in the past, present or future tense. In addition, the conditions put forward themselves have a gradation: real, unlikely and unrealistic. This is best understood through examples.
Type I
The subordinate conditions belonging to the first type describe real fact. That is, what actually took place in the past, present or future. In this case, the tense forms of the predicate verb in the main and subordinate parts usually coincide.
This can be clearly seen in the examples.
- Past tense:
If the weather was fine, he went for a walk - If the weather was good, he went for a walk.
- Present tense:
If the weather is fine, he goes for a walk - If the weather is fine, he goes (goes) for a walk.
- Future tense:
If the weather is fine, he will go for a walk - If the weather is fine, he will go for a walk.
Only in the last example can you notice that the two parts complex sentence do not agree in time (the subordinate clause is in the form of the present, and the main clause is in the form of the future). This did not happen by chance, but as a result of a special grammatical rule to which subordinate clauses and conditions are subject. The details will be explained below.
For now, let's look at the manifestations of the second and third types of subordinate conditions. They are no longer revealed in three grammatical tenses, but acquire the meaning “if, then...”. Moreover, such a hypothetical situation may relate to both the present day and the past.
Type II
When the speaker believes that the reality of fulfilling the condition is quite small, then a separate speech construction is used. Drawing an analogy with the Russian language, this is the subjunctive mood (“if only ...”). Example:
If the weather was fine, I would go for a walk - If the weather was good, I would go (went) for a walk.
Please note that the situation described is happening at the time the person is talking about it. This is not regret about yesterday.
To construct a grammatically correct statement of this type, you need:
- in the subordinate clause, put the predicate verb in the Past Simple form;
- in the main part use would + (but without the particle to).
III type
If compliance with this condition (and the performance of an action) is considered talking person as completely impossible, a subordinate condition of a different type comes into play. The impossibility of realizing such a situation is due to the fact that the action has already taken place in the past, and the speaker is not able to change its result. And therefore, a complex with a subordinate condition of this type usually expresses regret and lamentation about the current circumstances.
If the weather had been fine yesterday, we wouldn’t have stayed home. In that case we would have gone for a walk - If the weather had been good yesterday, we would not have stayed at home. In that case, we would go for a walk.
But there may be another, opposite in meaning, situation. The person thinks about what could have happened, but does not feel regret about it. For example:
If I had overslept, I would have been late - If I had overslept, I would have been late.
Please note that the entire sentence refers to and expresses the impossibility of performing a certain action precisely then, in the past.
The following grammatical structure is formed:
- in the subordinate clause, the predicate verb is put in the Past Perfect form;
- in the main part would + Perfect Infinitive is used.
What tense is used in subordinate clauses?
This question is very serious. A little earlier in the article it was mentioned that it is important to determine the type of subordinate clause. And in this matter, it is necessary to focus not on alliances, but on the questions asked.
The fact is that there is a certain grammatical rule. It is related to the type of clause and the use of present/future tense in it.
If subordinate clauses answer the questions: “Under what condition will the action be performed?” or “At what time (when) will this happen?”, then they express, respectively, a condition or a time. In these types of clauses you cannot use the future tense (with the verb will). The present is used instead. Even when the situation clearly relates to the future and it is at this time that it is translated into Russian.
Compare:
- She’ll make a cake when you come.
- If I get this job, I will be happy.
As is easy to see, in the latter case the example given refers to a variety - subordinate condition of type I. This rule does not apply to the other two types of conditional clauses, since they contain completely different constructions for expressing grammatical meaning.
In many situations, complex sentences allow you to better express the thoughts of the speaker. Subordinate units join with the help of special unions. The main varieties are subordinate tenses and subordinate conditions.
The English language has certain grammatical rules regarding the use of such structures. In order to reliably learn them, you need to understand the theory well once, and then perform as many exercises as possible so that an example of correct use is fixed in memory. Subsequently, when the need arises, it will automatically appear in speech.
Conditional sentences of the first type, subordinate clauses of time with the conjunction when in English are presented with examples.
This topic will talk in detail about conditional sentences of the first type, as well as subordinate clauses of time with the conjunction when. In the following topics you will be able to study other types of conditional sentences in detail.
It is necessary to remember that conditional sentences of the first type describe very real, feasible assumptions.
In conditional sentences, it is necessary to strictly observe the correct use of tenses in the main and subordinate parts of the sentence.
Let's look at an example in Russian.
If you invite John, I'll call Maria.
In this sentence, “I’ll call Mary” is the main clause, and “if you invite John” is the subordinate clause.
In Russian, in such sentences, both the main and subordinate clauses are in the future tense, but in English this analogy is not observed, which is why it is important to strictly observe the correct use of the corresponding tenses in different parts offers.
In English, in conditional sentences of the first type, the main clause - the consequence - is used in the future tense (The Future Indefinite Tense), while the subordinate clause
- condition - used in the present tense (The Present Indefinite Tense).
Consider the sentence shown above in English only.
If you invite John, I will call Mary.
If you invite John - Present Indefinite
I will call Mary - Future Indefinite
If you will invite John, I will call Mary is incorrect.
Study some more examples of conditional sentences of the first type.
If my brother wins the competition, I will give him a new laptop - If my brother wins the competition, I will give him a new laptop.
I will help her, if she does my homework - I will help her if she does my homework.
We will stay at home, if you come on time - We will stay at home if you come on time.
I won’t send a letter if you don’t buy an envelope - I won’t send a letter if you don’t buy an envelope.
In conditional sentences of the first type, in the main clause the verb can be used in the imperative form. Study some examples.
If you stay here, feed my dog - If you stay here,
feed my dog.
Don’t forget to show her a home library, if you
invite her to a party - Don't forget to show her your home library if you invite her to a party.
The future tense is also often used in subordinate clauses in Russian. Similar sentences in English are used with various conjunctions, including when - when.
In such sentences, as with conditional sentences, it is necessary to take into account that the future tense is not used in the subordinate clause. Instead of the future tense, the present is used - Present Indefinite, that is, there is a complete analogy with conditional sentences.
Study the example in Russian.
When I write a letter, I will send it.
Both the main and subordinate clauses in this sentence are used in the future tense, but in English a different rule is followed.
Consider this sentence in English.
When I write a letter, I will send it - When I write a letter, I will send it.
When I will write a letter, I will send it is incorrect.
In this lesson we will get acquainted with subordinate clauses of time and condition and find out what conjunctions are used to construct them.
In English there is various types subordinate clauses. One of them is circumstancessubordinate clausesoffers, or AdverbialClauses(Fig. 1). As the name itself suggests - “adverbial” - these sentences perform the functions of various circumstances, be it time, place, cause, effect, purpose or condition. Today we will focus on subordinate clauses of time and condition.
Rice. 1. Adverbial Clauses()
Subordinate clauses time, or AdverbialClausesofTime, answer questions:
When? (When?)
How long? (How long?)
unions:
When - when,
After - after,
Before - before,
Till/until - until...not,
While - while/while,
As soon as - as soon as.
For example:
When I entered the room, my sister was playing with her toys. - When I entered the room, my sister was playing with dolls. (Fig. 2)
She asked him another question before he had answered the previous one. - She asked him one more question before he answered the previous one.
He took a nap while I was out. - He took a nap while I was gone.
Branch 1. Order of adjectives before nouns
When more than one adjective is used to describe a noun, they usually must be listed in a specific order.
So, they begin the description of an object with an adjective that expresses the speaker’s attitude towards it. For example, beautiful - beautiful, lovely, nice. Then they move on to describing the size - small, big. Then age (old), followed by shape (round) and color (green). And finally, there remains the origin (English - English, Italian - Italian) and the material (wooden - wooden) from which the item is made.
For example,
A lovely small new round black Italian leather bag - a lovely small new round black Italian leather bag. (Fig. 3)
It is also worth remembering that numerals always come before adjectives:
three fresh apples
the second large building
Particular attention should be paid to the fact that in subordinate clauses the verb is never used in the future tense, even if the action refers to the future. Instead of the future tense, we use the present tense. That is, instead of Future Simple we use Present Simple. As for the main clause, it can be used in the future tense.
For example:
When she returns home, she ’ llcall her brother. - When she gets home, she will call her brother.
As soon as I pass all my exams, I will go to the sea. - As soon as I pass all the exams, I will go to the sea. (Fig. 4)
Subordinate clauses conditions, or AdverbialClausesofCondition, answer question:
Under what condition? (under what condition?)
They are connected to the main clause using unions:
Unless - if...not
For example:
If you don’t believe me, call Mrs. Watson. - If you don't believe me, call Mrs. Watson.
I won't go unless the weather is nice. - I won't go anywhere unless the weather is good.
If I were you, I wouldn’t buy this dress. - If I were you, I wouldn't buy this dress.
In subordinate clauses, instead of Future Tenses, Present tenses are used, despite the fact that the action is future. The main clause can be used in the Future.
For example:
If I have enough money, I willget some lollipops. - If I have enough money, I will buy some candy. (Fig. 5)
He willbecome much stronger if he does exercises every day. - He will become much stronger if he does exercises every day.
Thus, please note once again that after conjunctions of subordinate clauses and conditions, the future tense is not used. That is, neither after when nor after if, as the most common conjunctions, there is a future tense.
Branch 2. About the verbs “do” and “make”
Both the verb “to do” and the verb “to make” mean “to do something.” But now we’ll talk about their difference.
The verb “to do” can be used when we are not saying exactly what activity we are talking about, for example when the words “something”, “nothing”, etc. are used:
During that day we had nothing to do.
We had nothing to do that day.
We need to dosomething!
We need to do something!
When we are talking about some kind of work, we also use the verb “do”:
We can do the shopping together.
We can go shopping together. (Fig. 6)
They did so much work yesterday.
They did so much work yesterday.
As for the verb “to make”, it is used to denote the creation, construction, production of something:
She made a delicious soup.
She made (cooked) a delicious soup.
We made a plan and started implementing it.
We made (came up with) a plan and began to implement it.
Your sister makessuch adorable dolls!
Your sister makes such adorable dolls!
At the same time, you should not make the rather common mistake of “make a photo”, since it is correct to say “take a photo” (take a photo).
And now let’s do some exercises to understand the use of the Adverbial Clauses of Time and Condition better.
Now let's do an exercise to better understand the features of using subordinate clauses of time and condition.
Please, fill the gaps with the necessary form of the verb in brackets
1. Please turn off the light when you ___ the room. (to leave) → leave
2. I hope I will see you before you___ . (to start) → start
3. Don’t leave until your father ___ back. (to come) → comes
4. He will stay with us after he___ London. (to leave) → leaves/has left
5. I am sure she’ll let you know as soon as she___ some news. (to get) → gets
6. If it ___, we will stay at home. (to rain) → rains
7. What will you do if you ___ soaked? (to be) → are
8. In case you ___ the 9:30 train, there is another one at 9:55. (to miss) → miss
9. They will take a dog after they ___ a new flat. (to buy) → buy
10. When I ___ a cup of tea, I ask my Mom to make it. (to want) → want
Branch 3. Abbreviations in English
It often happens that we cannot understand the meaning of a sentence because of just one word. It is especially difficult when the translation of this word is not even in the dictionary. Usually English abbreviations that have appeared recently fall into this situation, and most often words used in correspondence are abbreviated. Let's look at some examples.
asap = assoonaspossible = ASAP
b4 = before = before, before
brb = be right back = NowI'll be back
c = see = see
u = you = You
b = be = be
IDK = I don't know = INotI know
S.Y. = see you = see you
TNX/THX = thanks = Thank you
NP = noproblem = My pleasure(literally: no problem)
YW = youarewelcome = Please
References
- Afanasyeva O. V. Series “New English course for Russian schools.” 5th grade. - M: Bustard, 2008.
- Fomina I. N., Fomina L. V. English in algorithms. - Dnepropetrovsk, 2007.
- Pakhotin A. All about modal verbs and the subjunctive mood in English. - M: Karev Publisher, 2005.
- Dubrovin M.I. Illustrated guide to English grammar. - M: “Nachala-Press”, 1992.
- Audio-class.ru ().
- Moodle.kubsu.ru ().
- Alleng.ru ().
Homework
Open the brackets using verbs in Present Simple or Future Simple (all actions refer to the future).
1) … I (to see) you before you … (to start)? 2) What... he (to do) when he... (to come) home? 3) Where... they (to go) if the weather... (to be) fine? 4) He... (to ring) me up when he... (to return) home. 5) If it... (to rain), we... (to stay) at home. 6) She... (to walk) home if it... (not to be) too cold. 7) I am sure he... (to come) to say good-bye to us before he... (to leave) St. Petersburg. 8) Please turn off the light when you… (to leave) the room. 9) If we ... (to be) tired, we ... (to stop) at a small village half-way to Moscow and ... (to have) a short rest and a meal there. 10) If you... (to miss) the 10.30 train, there is another at 10.35. 11) She... (to make) all the arrangements about it before she... (to fly) there. 12) Before he... (to start) for London, he... (to spend) a day or two at a hotel not far from here. 13) Don"t go away until mother … (to come) back. 14) I … (to speak) to Mary if I … (to see) her today.
Select the required form verb.
1. I"ll call you as soon as I ... tickets for the train.
1. to buy 2. buy 3. shall buy 4. bought
2. If the day... hot, we shall go to the beach.
1. shall be 2. is 3. was 4. will be
3. If he ... home before Friday, he will help us to do the translation.
1. returns 2. will return 3. return 4. returned
4. Please, drive us to the airport if you ... time tomorrow morning.
1.have 2.will have 3.shall have 4.has
5. If you ... to see all these places, you must stay for a week.
1. shall want 2. want 3. to want 4. will want
6. As soon as you... back from your trip, call on me.
1. came 2. shall come 3. come 4. will come
7. Speak to him about it when you... him.
1. see 2. will see 3. seen 4. sees
8. They will go for a walk before they ... to bed.
1. goes 2. will go 3. go 4. went
9. Will you wait until he ... back?
1. come 2. will come 3. comes 4. to come
10. Come to see me before you... for the south.
1 .left 2. will leave 3. leave 4. leaves
Keys to the exercisesTime and Condition Clauses
This will be a very short topic, which by some chance spun off from the coordination of times.
There we talked about the fact that if the predicate verb of the main sentence is in one of the present or future tenses, then the predicate verb in the subordinate clause can be at any time depending on the meaning. The exception to this rule is the conditions and time clauses.
In subordinate clauses of condition and tense, the present tense is used instead of the future tense. Please note that the clause is most often found at the beginning of the sentence, but can also move to the end, as in the second example. Condition clauses answer the question: under what conditions? (under what condition?), and sentences of time - to the question: When? (when?)
Condition:
If I have enough money I"ll get some bananas. - If I have enough(there will be enough) money, I'll buy bananas.
You"ll get stronger if you go to the gym more often. You will become stronger if you walk to the gym more often.
Time:
When I see her again I"ll tell her everything. - When will I see next time (the next time we meet) I’ll tell her everything.
As soon as I return from work, I"ll ring you up. - As soon as I get back from work, I'll call you.
In conditional subordinate clauses, conjunctions are used as connecting clauses: if, unless, provided (that), on condition (that).
In subordinate clauses of time, conjunctions are usually used: after, as soon as, before, while, when, until, till.
We continue the theme of Future Simple.
Today we’ll talk about the most common question: is it necessary to put Will after words such as: When, As soon as, If, After, Before? If necessary, then in what cases. And when in English is Will placed after If and When?
REMEMBER: DO NOT put Will in front of the following words:
When - when,
If - if,
After - after,
Before - before,
As soon as - as soon as,
As long as - as long as,
While - bye,
Until / unless - not earlier, except
In case - in case.
Examples - when Will is not used after When, If, As soon as, Before, After
When I leave work I'll text you.
I'll text you when I get off work.
After I get home he will email you.
He will write /email/ to you when he gets home from work.
Before I leave home she will call you.
She will call you before leaving the house.
I’ll do it as soon as I get home.
I'll do it as soon as I get home.
Examples in which cases Will is used after If and When
1. When there is a certain condition of the promise:
I will be very happy if you will come to my party.
I will be happy if you come to my party.
We should finish the job early if Ted will help us.
If Tad helps us, we should finish the job early.
If you will be nice we will go to the park.
If you behave, we'll go to the park.
2. When If has the meaning: - LI -.
Do you know if Anna will go with us?
Do you know if Anna will come with us?
3. When a sentence implies an answer to the question “what?”
I’ll tell you when Mark will fly to Moscow.
I'll tell you when Mark arrives.
I'll say what? fact - when Mark arrives.
4. When time is implied:
Could you tell me when you will know the results?
Could you tell me when / what time / you will get the results?
Compare, the same sentence without will has a different meaning:
Could you tell me when you know the results?
Let me know when you get the results.
Another example, very ours, Russian.
Usually we say:
“Text me when you get home.”
Those. When you arrive, write to me that you have arrived.
In English it will sound like this: Write me when you get home.
But if you write this sentence to a foreigner with will: Write me when you will get home- “Write to me when you arrive,” he will answer you like this:
I'll get home in two hours. I'll be home in two hours.
He will not understand that you asked him to write to you that he arrived. He will understand that you are asking him: “How long will it take you to arrive home, please write.”
Now, let's consolidate the material.
Exercise #1
Put the verbs in the correct form.
Say these sentences in Russian.
1. I (go) to the dentist as soon as I (have) a toothache.
2. I (come) home when I (finish) work.
3. Your sister (be) angry when she (come) back.
4. I (stay) at home until you (call) me.
5. As soon as Tom (lose) his job, he (find) another one.
Correct answers to exercise #1
1. I’ll go to the dentist as soon as I have a toothache.
2. I’ll come home when I finish work.
3. Your sister will be angry when she somes back.
4. I’ll stay at home until you call me.
5. As soon as Tom lost his job, he found another one.
1. When my tooth hurts, then I’ll go to the doctor.
2. I will go home when I finish work.
3. When your sister returns, she will be angry.
4. I will be at home until you call me.
5. When Tom lost his job, he immediately found another one.
Exercise #2
Choose the correct completion of the sentence.
1. I’ll do it as soon as ….
I will finish cleaning.
I finish cleaning.
2. I have to tidy the room before….
My mum will come.
My mum comes.
3. I… to him about it when we meet.
I will talk.
I talk.
4. I refuse to go there unless you … with me.
You will come.
You come.
5. He is going to stay in our flat while ...
We are in Moscow.
We will be in Moscow.
6. I’ll call you up after…
they repaired my telephone.
they have repaired my telephone.
7. If I ... my house, I will take a long holiday.
If I will sell.
If I sell.
8. You should read the contract carefully before you...
Will sign it.
Sign it.
9. I’ll speak to him about it when I… him.
I will see.
I see..
10. If I lose my job, I looking another one.
I will start.
I start.
Correct answers to exercise #2
1. I’ll do it as soon as I finish cleaning.
2. I have to tidy the room before my mum comes.
3. I will talk to him about it when we meet.
4. I refuse to go there unless you come with me.
5. He is going to stay in our flat while we are in Moscow.
6. I’ll call you up after they repaired my telephone.
7. If I sell my house, I will take a long holiday.
8. You should read the contract carefully before you sign it.
9. I’ll speak to him about it when I see him.
10. If I lose my job, I will start looking another one.
Exercise #3
Make up the correct sentences.
1. We'll get there. We'll send a message. (soon after)
2. I would like to finish it. It will get dark. (before)
3. We are going to have the rest. We'll be on holiday. (while)
4. He will not regret it. She'll move away. (until)
5. Can you water the flowers? We'll leave the house. (when)
6. Get in touch with him. I'm going to write to him. (as soon as)
7. Come to see me. You'll feel alone. (whenever)
8. I will find the opener. I will open the bottle. (the moment)
9. We will go to the shop. We will be walking the dog. (while)
10.I’ll have finished my lesson by noon. I'll come round. (after)
Correct answers to exercise #3
1. Soon after we get there, we will send a message.
2. I would like to finish it before it gets dark.
3. We are going to have a rest while we are on holiday.
4. He will not regret it until she moves away.
5. Can you water the flowers when we leave the house.
6. Get in touch with him as soon as I write to him.
7. Come to see me whenever you feel alone.
8. The moment I find the opener, I will open the bottle.
9. We will go to the shop while we are walking the dog.
10. After I have finished my lesson by noon, I will come round.
2. We’ll stay here till she returns.
3. Please call us when you arrive.
4. I don’t know when the party will start.
5. He'll drive you there whenever you need.
6. He will wait for you until you are back.
7. Don't worry! I’ll watch you while you are swimming in the lake.
8. Will you recognize him the moment you see him?
9. Do you know when the shop will open?
10. I’ll be with you while you are waiting for the bus.
Exercise #4
Put in front verbs will, where required.
He rent this flat as long as he lives in Moscow.
As soon as you meet Janet, you love her.
Until you are eighteen, you do not drive a car.
If Barcelona win tomorrow they will be champions.
I come tomorrow unless I have to look after the children.
Correct answers to exercise #4
He’ll rent this flat as long as he lives in Moscow.
As soon as you meet Janet, you will love her.
Until you are eighteen, you will not drive a car.
You must wait here until your father comes.
They are coming after they have had dinner.
If Barcelona win tomorrow they will be champions.
I will come tomorrow unless I have to look after the children.
