Conditionals or subordinate clauses (Conditionals) are complex sentences consisting of a Main clause and an if-clause, which is often introduced by a conjunction if(but also until(Bye), unless(if not, not yet) when, provided(=if), as long as(since, until then, provided)).

After if(and its analogues) - there will be no future tense, and always Present or Past. Nuances of using conjunctions WHETHER and IF

If if is omitted, inversion occurs, the auxiliary verb is placed in first place. For example:

Were I you (=I were you), I would put on some warmer clothes. - If I were you, I would wear warm clothes.

Had I heard (=If I had heard) any news, I would have told you immediately. - If I heard any news, I would tell you immediately.

should he get (=If he should get) this job, he will be able to buy his own flat. - If he gets this job, he will be able to buy his own apartment.

Types of Conditional Sentences

Mixed Conditions

IN English language, most often for education mixed conditionals(mixed conditionals) conditional sentences of type II and III are used.

Mixing II and I type of conditional sentences. In this case, the subordinate clause refers to the past time, and the main clause refers to the future.

Mixing II and III type of conditional sentences. In this case, the subordinate clause describes an unreal condition relating to the present time, and the main clause refers to the past and describes a situation that has already occurred (the result in the past). Examples: If I were smarter, I would have graduated from Stanford. “If I had been smarter, I would have graduated from Stanford.”

Mixing III and II type of conditional sentences. In this case, the subordinate clause refers to the past tense, and the main clause refers to the present. An unambiguous event in the past directly affects an event in the present. Examples: If my father hadn't lost his keys, we wouldn't have to wait until he finds them. “If my father hadn’t lost his keys, we wouldn’t have had to wait for him to find them.”

I wish/If only construction

Proper use I wish designs will decorate your English speech.

I wish design... (How I wish...) (It's a pity...) - belongs to the unrealistic type. After wish, Past or would + infinitive is always used. These sentences are needed to express regret, disappointment, sadness when something so desired does not work out or did not work out before.

Translation rule for the I wish construction. If in Russian the sentence is positive, then in English it will be negative and vice versa. For example:

I wish my bike hadn't stolen. (Literal translation: I wish my bike wasn't stolen.)

I wish my bike had been stolen. - What a pity that my bike NOT stolen. (Literal translation: I wish my bike would be stolen.)

When translating from Russian, the sentence is built from “It’s a pity (I want)” and the sign changes. For example, It's a pity that I slept during the working day. - I wish I didn't sleep during the working day. The literal translation of this sentence from English: I wish I didn't sleep during the working day.

Let's imagine the situation. Have you met interesting person, exchanged phone numbers. One day you decide to call him or her, but you find that you have lost the number. In your hearts you say: “It’s a pity that I don’t know her number.” How would this sound in English? I wish I knew his / her telephone number. And here the confusion arises... Why Russian offer negative and English positive? And, let me note, this will always be the case. This point is easy to understand if you try to literally translate our Russian or English sentence. The phrase I wish itself is synonymous with the expressions I want to / I would like to, that is, “I want, I wish, I would like.” It turns out a new Russian equivalent of our sentence - I want me to know her number (the translation is literal; you still don’t know the number, that’s why you regret, expressing your feelings with the word “sorry”). But if you now translate this into English, you will get exactly the above English version. If you need to vice versa translate a sentence from I wish from English into Russian, rearrange it in the same way - It’s a pity... and then change the plus to a minus or the minus to a plus (positive sentence to negative and vice versa).

“If only” design is more expressive than “I wish”. However, the rules for its use in different times completely coincide with the rules for using the “I wish” construction.

Conditional sentences are used when we want to make assumptions about what could happen, would happen, and what we would like to happen. In English, most conditional sentences contain the word if. In many conditional sentences in English, the verb is in one of the past tenses. This usage refers to the "unreal past" because we use the past tense but do not imply that something happened in the past. In English there are five ways of forming conditional types of sentences. Each of these types of sentences will always consist of a clause with if and main offers. For many negative conditionals, there is an analogue in the form of a sentence with an equivalent construction using "unless" instead of "if".

Null condition type

Type zero conditionals are used when we talk about time now or always and the situation real and possible. The null type is often used when we talk about generally known truths. Both parts of this type of sentence will use the simple present tense. In type zero conditional sentences, the word "if" can be replaced by the word "when" without changing the meaning.

1st type of condition

Conditional sentences of type 1 refer to present or future and express real situation. Type 1 refers to a possible condition and its possible result. In these sentences, the if clause is in the simple present tense and the main clause is in the simple future tense.

2nd type of condition

Conditional sentences of type 2 refer to time now or any other time, the situation in this sentence unreal. Such proposals are not based on facts. The 2nd type of condition refers to a hypothetical condition and its possible result. In type 2 conditional sentences, the if clause is in the simple past tense, and the main clause is in the present conditional.

With the help of conditional sentences, we say that something will/will not happen or could happen under certain conditions:

"If it will be good weather, we are going to walk. If she knew English, she would have found new job. If he hadn't missed the plane, he would have been here."

There are four types of conditionals in English: 0, 1, 2 and 3.

So that you do not get confused and can use all these types correctly, in the article we will analyze each of them, and I will give you a general table of their use.

From the article you will learn:

What are conditional sentences in English?

Conditional sentences- these are sentences where there is a certain condition under which an action will occur or could happen/not happen.

For example: If he fixes the car, we will go out of town (the action will only happen if he fixes the car).

All conditional sentences consist of 2 parts:

1. The main part is the event itself

2. Condition - an event under which the action in the main part would be possible

Conditional sentences can be used when we say:

• ABOUT real events

For example: If they go to the cinema, they will call me (if the condition is met - the event will happen).

• About unreal events

For example: If he had money, he would buy this phone (the event is unrealistic, since he has no money).

There are 4 types of conditional sentences in English.

Let's look at each of them.

Zero type of conditional sentences in English

Zero Conditional

When are type zero conditionals used?

We use this type of conditional sentences when we describe events, things, phenomena that are always real and true.

It can be:

• Scientific facts
• Nature laws
• Commonly accepted statements
• Obvious statements
• Actions that always occur under such conditions

For example:

If you hit yourself hard, you will bruise (obvious statement)

How are type zero conditional sentences constructed?

This conditional type of sentence is the easiest.

Since we are talking about events that are always true, both parts use Present Simple.

The outline of such a proposal:

Actor + action + if + actor+ action

Attention: If we are talking about one person (he, she, it), do not forget to add the ending -s/-es to the action.

If you heat ice, it melts.
If you heat ice, it will melt (this always happens).

If she cleans in a flat, she listens to the radio.

Now let's move on to conditional sentences of the 1st type.

The first type of conditional sentences in English

First Conditional

When are conditional sentences of the first type used?

Such sentences are used when we talk about real events in the future. That is, if the condition is met, then the action will occur in the future.

For example:

If we meet on the weekend, we will go to the museum (the action will occur if the condition is met).

How are conditional sentences of the first type constructed?

Let's look at how the main and conditional parts are built in such a sentence.

The main part contains an action that will or will not happen in the future. Therefore, in this part we use the Future Simple tense, which is formed using the verb will.

For example:

I will buy this dress….
I will buy this dress...

He will pass an exam….
He will pass the exam...

The conditional part 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.

For example:

If she studies hard...
If she studies hard...

If they come…
If they come...

The outline of such a proposal:

Actor + will + action + if + actor + action

She will come if she feels well.
She will come if she feels good.

They will help you if you ask them.

The second type of conditional sentences in English

Second Conditional

When is the 2nd type of conditional sentence used?

We use such sentences when we talk about imaginary situations in the present and future. The events referred to in such sentences are unlikely or unrealistic.

For example:

If it were warm, we would go for a walk in the park (but now it’s cold, so these events are unrealistic).

How are type 2 conditional sentences constructed?

Let's look at both parts.

The main part is formed using would. When constructing a sentence, we put would after the actor, and then comes the verb in the initial form.

For example:

She would buy the phone...
She would buy this phone...

They would come...
He would come...

In the conditional part we use Past Simple tense.

Depending on the verb, this tense is formed as follows:

• if the verb is regular, we add the ending -ed (cook - cooked)
• if the verb is not regular, we put it in the 2nd form (see - saw).

For example:

If she had enough money...
If only she had enough money...

If they knew English…
If only they knew English...

The outline of such a proposal would be:

Actor + would + action + if + actor + regular verb ending -ed or 2nd form of irregular verb

They would go to the cinema if he bought tickets.
They would go to the cinema if he bought tickets.

She would cook dinner if she had enough time.
She would cook dinner if she had time.

The third type of conditional sentences in English

Third Conditional

When is type 3 conditional used?

We use this type of conditional sentence when we talk about unrealistic situations that might or might not have happened in the past under certain conditions.

For example:

He would not have been late for work if he had caught the bus (but he did not have time and was late, so these events are unreal and cannot be changed).

How are type 3 conditional sentences constructed?

Let's look at both parts.

The main part is formed using:

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

For example:

They wouldhave passed the exam...
She would have passed this exam….

He would have come…
He would come...

In the conditional part we use Past Perfect tense (past perfect tense), which is formed using:

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

For example:

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

If they had found out the truth...
If they found out the truth...

The outline of such a proposal would be as follows:

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

They would have won that game if they had trained enough.
They would have won that game if they had practiced enough.

She would have lived abroad if she had got married him.
She would live abroad if she married him.

General table for using conditional sentences

Now let's look at a general table to reinforce the use of these sentences.

So, we've covered the theory, now let's move on to practice.

Reinforcement task

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

1. They will make a cake if they go to the store.
2. She would go to the cinema if he called her.
3. If she works, she gets up early.
4. If he had graduated from that university, he would have worked here.
5. She will buy a new laptop if she sells the old one.

There are four main types of "if" sentences in English:

There are four main types of sentences in English: "if":

1.The "zero" conditional, where the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present:

1. "Zero" conditional, when both in the main and in subordinate clauses at the same time - simple present:

now or always and the situation is real and possible. They are often used to refer to general truths.

now or always, and the situation is real and possible. Often such sentences mean general truths

2.The Type 1 conditional, where the tense in the "if clause is the simple present simple future

2. Conditional type 1, when in a subordinate clause with "if" the verb is in simple present simple future

In these sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is real. They refer to a possible condition and its probable result.

In these sentences, time is now or in the future, and the situation is real. They talk about possible condition and the likely outcome.

3. The Type 2 conditional, where the tense in the "if" clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional.

3. Conditional type 2, where in the subordinate clause with "if" verb in simple past tense, and in the main clause - in present conditional

In these sentences, the time is now or any time, and the situation is unreal. They are not based on fact, and they refer to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result .

In these sentences, time is now or any other time, and the situation unrealistic. These sentences do not reflect facts, they speak of an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its likely outcome

4.The Type 3 conditional,where the tense in the "if" clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional.

4. Conditional type 3, where in the subordinate clause with "if" the verb is in past perfect time, and in the main clause - in perfect conditional.

In these sentences, the time is past, and the situation is contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed, and they refer to an unreal past condition and its Probable past result.

In these sentences the time is past, and the situation contradicts the real state of affairs. Real facts completely different, and the meaning of the sentence is that some unfulfilled situation from the past could have such and such probable outcome in the past.

A further type of "if" sentence exists, where Type 2 and Type 3 are mixed. The tense in the "if" clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional.

There is another type of sentence with "if", Where types 2 and 3 mixed. In the subordinate clause with "if" the verb is in the past perfect, and in the main clause - in the present conditional.

In these sentences, the time is past in the "if" clause, and present in the main clause. They refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the present .

In these sentences the time is past in if-clause and the present in the main sentence. These sentences describe unreal condition in the past and him probable results in the present

Conditional clauses are used to say that an action will only be performed if a certain condition is met. For example:

If it will rain, I'll take an umbrella.

If you finish the quarter without C grades, I will buy you a new computer.

I'll come early if I have time to do all the work.

How are conditional sentences constructed? It is easy to remember that a conditional sentence in English consists of two parts - the condition and the result. The condition always begins with the word if (if). And the result describes what will happen if the condition is met.

There are three types of conditional sentences in English. Each type of conditional sentence has its own word order. It is the condition, or rather the probability of the condition being met, that determines what type the sentence will be. The condition could be:

• feasible (1 type of conditional sentences)
• unlikely (type 2)
• impossible (type 3)

Sometimes there is also a zero type of conditional sentences. The null type clause contains a condition that is always satisfied. Let's take a closer look at how each of these types of conditional sentences is constructed and when it is used.

CONDITIONAL sentences of type 1. Real condition.

Type 1 conditionals in English are used to say of a prediction, prognosis, intention or warning. That is, in cases where there is a condition that will be met with a high probability and there is an action that will occur after this condition is met.

The scheme for constructing conditional sentences of type 1 is quite simple - the condition is described in the present tense Present Simple, and the result is described in the future tense Future Simple.

Let me remind you that an affirmative sentence in the Future Simple tense is constructed according to the following scheme:

Subject

will

predicate

all the rest

If you feel the need to brush up on your knowledge of English tenses, you can read more about Present Simple, Future Simple and word order in an English sentence.

Now let's move on to examples of conditional sentences of the first type:

I will have a good job if I study well.
I will find Good work if I study well.

If the weather is good, we will go for a walk in the park.
If the weather is good, we will go for a walk in the park.

If you don"t sleep, you"ll be able to work good.
If you don't sleep, you won't be able to work well.

Please note that in an English conditional sentence, the condition can appear either before or after the result, and a comma is placed between the condition and the result only in cases where the condition comes first.

CONDITIONAL sentences of type 2. An unlikely condition.

Conditional sentences of type 2 in English speak about unlikely or almost impossible event. Use a Type 2 conditional if you do not believe the event specified will happen.

In order to construct a grammatically correct English conditional sentence of type 2, you need to do the following:

1. Put the first part of the sentence (condition) in the past tense Past Simple.
2. In the second part of the sentence (result), add the verb would before the subject. The particle to is not placed after would.

For example, we have two simple sentences:

I live in New York.
I live in New York.

I go out every night.
I go for a walk every evening.

Let's make a conditional sentence of the second type from them. We put the first sentence in the Past Simple.

I lived in New York.
I lived in New York.

To the second sentence we add the verb would.

I would go out every night.

Now we combine them, add the union If and get a conditional sentence:

If I lived in New York, I would go out every night.
If I lived in New York, I would go for a walk every evening.

“If I lived in New York” is an unlikely event, so it is absolutely correct to use a conditional sentence of the second type here.

Here are a few more examples, the study of which will help deepen your knowledge:

If I were you, I would dress the warm jacket.
If I were you, I would wear a warm jacket.

If I were mayor, I would make the life in my city better.
If I were mayor, I would make life in my city better.

If I won the lottery, I would buy a new car.
If I won the lottery, I would buy a new car.

3rd type of conditional sentences. Impossible condition.

Probably every person at least once in his life wanted to change something in his past. But alas, no one can turn back time. Conditional sentences of the third type allow us to say what would have happened if we could change the past. Use type 3 conditional sentences in English to criticize a mistake you made or regret a missed opportunity.

Such sentences are formed in a rather complex way:

1. We put the first part of the sentence (condition) in the Past Perfect. Now there is no need to find out what the Past Perfect is and in what situations it is used. It is enough to know the formula by which it is formed. Roughly speaking, to get the Past Perfect Active you need to put the verb had before the predicate, and add the ending -ed to the predicate itself (for regular verbs). If an irregular verb is used as a predicate, then it is necessary to use its 3rd form, which must be taken from the dictionary.
2. In the second part of the sentence (result), we add would have before the subject, and put the subject itself in the 3rd form.

The same thing in diagram form:

You can describe it in more detail. If regular verbs are used as subjects, then the following pattern will appear:

For irregular verbs instead of ending -ed We take the third form of the verb from the dictionary.

If I had studied harder, I would have had a better job.
If I studied better, I would have a better job.

If you had read the manual carefully, you wouldn’t have made these mistakes.
If you had read the instructions carefully, you would not have made these mistakes.

If You had closed a window, I wouldn’t have been ill.
If you had closed the window, I wouldn't get sick.

Conditional sentences type 0.

There are conditional sentences in which the condition is always satisfied. What are they needed for? For example, you can say in the form of a conditional sentence about the law of nature, scientific fact or a statement that is obvious to everyone:

Ice melts if the temperature is above zero.
Ice melts if the temperature is above zero.

Conditional sentences in which the condition is satisfied 100% of the time are called zero type conditional sentences. Conditional sentences of type 0 in English are formed according to a very simple scheme:

Both in the condition and as a result, the simplest of English tenses is used - the present present simple. This scheme is very similar to the structure of the corresponding conditional sentence in Russian. Therefore, conditional sentences of the zero type usually do not cause difficulties and in many grammar textbooks this type of sentence is not mentioned at all.

If a person eats a lot, he becomes fat.
If a person eats a lot, he becomes fat.

If you want to have good pay, you must have to work efficiently.
If you want to get a good salary, you must work efficiently.

Exercises to reinforce the topic

To consolidate your knowledge in practice, complete several tasks in which you need to choose the appropriate answer. After choosing the option you want, test yourself by clicking the "Show Answer" button. If any of English words These sentences are unfamiliar to you, double-click on them to see the translation.