2 type of conditional sentences in English. Conditional sentences

Conditional sentences in English language- these are sentences that contain some kind of condition and thus connect 2 events with each other, for example:

“If a frog falls on you, then you will definitely marry successfully” :-).

Conditional sentences are real(they have happened, will happen or are likely to happen) and unrealistic(i.e. events that will definitely not happen, but are fictitious, improbable).

Conditional sentences are divided into several types. Let's consider each type in a little more detail. So,

Conditional sentences of the zero type, or Zero Сonditional

This absolutely real, actually happening events that are always true, for example, scientific facts . Relate to the present.

if + Present Simple + Present Simple

If the temperature is below zero, water freezes. (If temperature descends below zero, water starts to freeze)

Conditional sentences of the first type, or First Conditional

The first type of conditional sentences means real condition and refers to the future tense .

if + Present Simple + Future Simple

If you call me I will pick you up. (If you call me, I you I will capture)

Conditional sentences of the second type, or Second Conditional

The second and third types of conditional sentences denote unreal actions, events and are translated through the particle "would" .

The difficulty lies in the fact that in the Russian language the forms of the present and the past are the same (remember what it is in the RUSSIAN language). In the English version, these will be completely different sentences. How to understand what is at stake, about the present or the future, if the forms of the verb are the same? We look at the context and marker words that indicate the time, for example, “now” or “last week”, etc.

So, the second type of conditional sentences refers to the present .

If +Past Simple +would +Infinitive

The main clause most often uses the verb would but can be used could / might . Although this type of conditional is formed through the past tense, it actually refers to the present. For instance:

If I got job, I'd (=I would) move to Vienna now. ( If I am got work, then would move to Vienna now.)

If you came in time, you could catch the train. ( If you came on time, then could leave on the train) - we mean now on the basis of the forms of the verb, because there are no marker words to indicate the time).

BUT#1: Form was often replaced by were (typical for official speech).

If I were you I would sale this house. (If I were you, I would sell this house.)

BUT#2: Usually in the adjunctive after if we don't use would, except for those cases when politely asking someone, For example, in an official letter(do not forget that the British are sooooo polite people and even after the failure of all the terms of the contract and a bunch of reminders about this, they do not forget about their politeness):

I would be gratefu l if you would let me know your decision. ( Would be thankful to you, if you notified me about your decision)

Conditional sentences of the third type, or Third Conditional

The third type of conditional sentences refers to the past tense and also denotes an unreal action.

If + Past Perfect + would have + Participle II

Instead of would have + Participle II can also be used could have / might have + Participle II

If he had come in time he could have caught the train. ( If he I arrived on time, he would have had time On the train)

Offers with wish

Instead of if you can often find sentences with the verb wish. Such proposals express regret or unrealistic desire.

The rules for using tenses are preserved, i.e. they are exactly the same as for the if part of the clause. The construction is translated into Russian "what a pity". Moreover, affirmative sentences are translated negatively and vice versa - negative affirmatively.

I wish you were here. ( It's a pity, What are you not here).

I wish I didn't work. (It's a pity, what am I working.)

Wish + (that) + would

In some special cases we use would together with wish. Namely, when we talk about other people and we don't like what they are doing and we would like these people to change. This design not used about yourself beloved, and also in relation to what no one can change. Although in exceptional cases you can say so, for example, about the weather.

I wish that he would not eat much chocolate ( I AM not happy, what he eats so much chocolate.) - I would like to change that.

I wish that it would stop raining! ( How I would like to the rain is over) - we are talking about the weather, although we cannot influence the weather in any way, but since this case is an exception, we can say with would).

I wish I would study harder! - it not properly We don't talk about ourselves like that! We are able to change our behavior?! Therefore, the proposal is not classified as unrealistic!) .

So the sentence should be like this:

I wish I studied harder. ( I would like to work harder) - it right!

If only...

Iwish for expressiveness can be replaced by ifonly

If only I hadn't watched that film. ( I'd rather not look This movie)

If only I could speak English well. ( Now if I were to say good in english...)

Mixed Conditionals

The fun begins when conditional sentences are mixed . But do not panic, you need to carefully analyze both parts of the sentence and decide which tenses they belong to.

If he had finished his work yesterday, he would be free now. ( If he finished work yesterday, now would be already free) type 3 + type 2

If I were rich, I would have bought that house yesterday. ( If I am was rich, I would buy yesterday that house) - type 2 + type 3

Now you can get down to practice:

He covers a very important topic - conditional sentences!

Conditional sentences are sentences where there is a certain condition under which the action will occur or could occur / not occur.

There are 4 types of conditional sentences in English: zero, first, second and third.

Zero Conditional Sentences

Used to describe events scientific facts, phenomena that are real (generally known truths, generally accepted norms, habitual actions, etc.).

For instance:

Water boils if you heat it to 100 degrees Celsius. - Water boils when heated to 100 degrees.

If he comes to town, we have supper together. - If he comes to town, we have dinner together.

Union if can be replaced by union when:

When he comes to town, we have dinner together. - When he comes to town, we have dinner together..

Conditional sentences of the first type

Describe future events. The situations described in such sentences are real and quite possible. In Russian, such sentences have the future tense.

For instance:

The match will be canceled if it rains. - The match will be canceled if it rains.

You will be late if you don't hurry up. - You will be late if you don't hurry up.

There are other forms of conditional sentences of the first type:

• using only the future tense

Sometimes in both parts of the conditional sentence (both in the conditional clause and in the result clause) the future tense can be used. This usage is especially typical for polite requests.

If you will wait for me, I will come with you. - If you wait for me, I'll go with you.

To make it even more polite, instead of the verb will in the conditional sentence, you can use would.

If you would come this way, I will take you to the theatre. - If you come here, I'll take you to the theatre.

• going to form in the sentence-result

The form going to often replaces the verb will in the first type of conditional sentences. This usage emphasizes the sentence-result.

If you don't mend your ways, you are going to land in trouble. “If you don’t get better, you will get into trouble.”

• usagehappen to/should happen to

Expressions can sometimes be used in a conditional clause happen to, should happen to. This usage suggests that what is expressed in the condition is unlikely, but if it happens, then what is described in the result clause will happen.

If they happen to come to town, we will meet them. - If they come to town, we will meet them. (It is unlikely that they will come. But if they come, we will meet them.)

• use of modal verbs in the sentence-result

Modal verbs can be used in the result sentence to describe a future opportunity, permission, advice, etc.

If you finish your work, you can go out and play. - If you finish your work, you can go outside to play.

• use of conjunctions provided (that), as long as

Instead of union if unions can be used provided (that) and as long as to emphasize that in order for what is described in the result clause to happen, a certain condition must be met.

Provided (that) he finishes his studies, he will find an excellent job. (= If he finishes his studies, he will find an excellent job.) - In the event that he completes his studies, he will find an excellent job.

Conditional sentences of the second type

Describe unrealistic situations. Such sentences are also called "unreal present". The situations in these sentences do not correspond to the facts in the present and may never occur. In conditional sentences of the 2nd type, the subordinate clause is in the simple past tense, and the main clause is in the present conditional.

Formula: [ If + past simple], + [Would + Bare Infinitive]

If I were rich, I would buy an yacht. - If I am was rich, I would buy yacht.

If I were you, I would’ t be late. - If I were you, I wouldn't be late.

If I slept more, I would" t be so tired. If I had slept more, I wouldn't be so tired.

Conditional sentences of the third type

Describe situations related to the past. The facts in them are based on results opposite to those expected. They refer to unrealistic conditions in the past and possible outcomes in the past. In conditional sentences of the third type, the subordinate clause is in the past perfect tense, and the main clause is in the perfect conditional.

Formula: , +

If you had called them, they would have come. - If you had called them, they would have come.

If you had worked harder, you would have entered the university. - If you studied more, you would go to university.

If she had studied at the university, she would have found a better job. If she had gone to university, she would have found a better job.

Sources used in the preparation of the material:abc-english-grammar.blogspot.com, metalearn.ru

site, with full or partial copying of the material, a link to the source is required.

Greetings, lovers of the English language. English proposals on the agenda! If you have ever heard English speech, you must have noticed that in English we cannot put words in a sentence in such a free order as we do when speaking Russian. There are certain rules. For each type of sentence (and there are four of them), the rules for ordering the components are different. In this article, we will analyze all this.

Article plan:

• Sentence. Offer members.
• Types of sentences in English.
• Word order in English sentences.

Sentences in English

A sentence is a combination of words, according to the grammatical norms of the language, that has meaning.

A sentence is a unit of speech. Each language has its own rules for constructing these speech units. In English, there is fixedness in the order of words in a sentence. In principle, therefore, it is important to study the materials of this article.

The members of a sentence are its components that perform certain syntactic functions.

There are two types of sentence members: main and secondary.

In English, a sentence is impossible without the main members, that is, without a subject and a predicate. There is no such strict rule in Russian.

For example: "Winter". "Cold".

In English, we cannot make such proposals, with only one member. We will not say: "Winter" / "Cold"

• It(this) - in the role of the subject
• Is(is) - as a predicate

Types of sentences in English

In English, there are four types of sentences according to the purpose of the statement.
Types of sentences in English

• 1. Narrative - which mean "story", "narrative" about something.

Declarative sentences can be of two types: positive and negative.

I visit my aunt Mary every week-end - I visit my aunt Mary every weekend. (positive narrative)

I don't visit her every week-end - I don't visit her every weekend. (negative narrative)

• 2. Interrogative - sentence-question.

There are also several types of questions in English:

• Question to the subject / question to the subject (Who? What? / Who? What?)

Who likes mashed potatoes? Who loves mashed potatoes?

My granny likes mashed potatoes. - My grandmother loves mashed potatoes.

What happened to them? - What happened to them?

It was a car crash. - It was car accident.

• General question

The answer to this type of questions can be yes or no.

Does she like those movies?

• Special question / special question

Uses the following auxiliary words to get the specific information you need:

• What? what?;
• When? when?;
• Where? where?;
• Why? why?;
• Which? which the? etc.

Where did you work? - Where did you worked?

• Alternative question / alternative question

Such a question can be asked to any of the members of the proposal, the question itself suggests an alternative, that is, the choice of an answer, the answer is in the question itself.

Example: Are these books interesting or boring?

• Disjunctive question

This type of question has two parts. In one part, a statement, with the usual word order, in the other, a brief general question, like Russian: isn't it?

Do you have this book, haven't you?

They don't like the play, do they?

• 3. Incentives - a proposal that calls for something - encourages.

An incentive sentence, as a rule, calls for something, this incentive may sound in different forms as advice, request, order, prohibition, etc.

Don't be stupid. / Don't be stupid. (prohibition)

Read this interesting story. interesting story. (Advice)

Learn by heart a poem. / Learn a poem by heart. (Order)

• 4. Exclamatory - sentences said at the moment of surprise, admiration, shock, etc.

These are sentences expressing strong feelings, emotions.

Exclamatory sentences begin with what (pronoun - which, which) or with how (adverb - how).

What a beautiful moment it is! What a wonderful moment!

How well he dances! How well he dances!

Syntax: word order in English sentences

Fixed word order is one of the main characteristics of English grammar. This means that each member of the proposal has its own place. The absence of cases makes it necessary to put words in a certain order so that the meaning of what is said is clear.

In each type of sentence there is a certain word order that should be remembered.

Word order in a declarative sentence:

Word order in English sentences interrogative sentences an inversion is made, in some types of questions auxiliary verbs (do, did) appear to construct a question.

Let's take a look at each type of question:

Question to the subject / question to the subject

General question

Special question / special question

Auxiliary verb (ex: do, did) / if necessary / Subject, Predicate, Remaining members of the sentence

Alternative question / alternative question

!!!Mandatory presence of or (or)

Disjunctive question

Word order in incentive sentences

The incentive sentence allows some deviations from the rules:

• 1st difference: No subject
• 2nd difference: the sentence starts with a verb

Word order in exclamatory sentences

An exclamatory sentence can be of any kind, if it is pronounced with pronounced emotions and feelings. For example, if the sentence is narrative, then becoming, exclamatory, we add Exclamation point, we leave the word order unchanged.

First: What/How (if any)

P.S. It remains to be hoped that there will be no difficulty in studying this material. Good luck to all!

Key points about word order

Conditional sentences are used when we want to make an assumption 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 to form conditional types of sentences. Each of these types of sentences will always consist of a subordinate clause with if and main sentences. For many negative conditional clauses, there is an equivalent clause in the form of a clause using "unless" instead of "if".

Type of conditional sentence	Use	Verb tense in an if clause	Verb tense in main clause
Zero type	Common Truths	simple present tense	simple present tense
Conditional sentences of the 1st type	Possible condition and likely outcome	simple present tense	simple future tense
Conditional sentences of the 2nd type	Hypothetical condition and possible outcome	simple past tense	Conditional present or conditional present continuous
Conditional sentences of the 3rd type	An unreal condition in the past and its possible outcome in the past
Mixed Conditional Sentences	An unreal condition in the past and its possible result in the present	Past perfect tense	Conditional perfect tense

Zero condition type

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

1st condition type

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

2nd condition type

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

Sentences in English may have a completely different word order than in Russian. At the same time, during the translation, it is worth adhering to certain rules, for example, if in Russian we see first the main part of the sentence, and then the subject, then in English it may be different. Consider different English sentences with translation in order to clearly see how sentences should be translated from one language to another.

• grandmother has come! => Grandma is here!
• Daddy has arrived! => Dad has arrived!
• My friends have come too late => My friends have come too late.
• You are having very good time => You are having a great time.

Take a close look at these offers. You will notice that they consist of a different number of words. The first two are uncommon, the second two are common.

Non-common ones are those in which only the main (main) members of the sentence are present, namely, the predicate and the subject. As for the common ones, there are also other (minor) members. They are circumstances, definitions, additions, etc.

Examples of translation of simple sentences (common and non-common):

• mother says. => Mom says.
• Children are playing. => Children play.
• Grandfather has done. => Grandpa did.
• Mary is her best friend. => Mary is her best friend.
• The girl is enjoying the sunshine. => The girl enjoys the sunshine (warmth).
• The boy is smiling to her. => The boy smiles at her.

Features of translation when there is no subject

If we talk about simple sentences, then it is important to remember that they are divided into several types. Categories need to be known in order to correctly translate sentences. For example, in personal sentences that denote a pronounced person or thing, the subject may be absent, but this does not mean that it does not need to be translated:

• My mother will come in a minute. => My mother will come in a minute (subject present).
• She looks at the window. stands up. Sits down. Again stands up. She doesn't know what to do. => She looks out the window. Rises. Sits down. He gets up again. She doesn't know what to do.

The example shows that the word she is not in all sentences, but, nevertheless, it is implied there. You don't need to use the word "she" in every sentence. She gets up. She sits down. She gets up again. It is not right. Enough to translate she once, and then it is clear from the meaning that the word in the sentence should be.

Other English topics: Subjunctive mood in English (the Subjunctive Mood): rules of formation and temporary forms

Features of translation from one and they

When we talk about indefinite personal sentences, then the subject expresses something indefinite (an object or a person). In order to convey this something (indefinite) in English, for translation we use one and they:

• One can study English only if he wants to. => A person can only learn English if he wants to (you can't force a person to do something).
• One can bake a cake only if he knows how to do it. => A person can bake a cake only if he knows how to do it.
• One can become a policeman only if he is a brave one. => Only those who are brave can become a policeman.
• They say the summer will be hot. => They say the summer will be hot.
• They say the meeting will be very interesting. => They say that the meeting will be very interesting.

The examples clearly show that when translating into Russian, we omit some words that are present in English. For instance, they. Yes, we write They say, and not just say, but translate without they: they say rather than they say. A similar situation with the word One. In our examples One translates as man and cop, but the translation is not limited to these words. Everything depends on the context.

Features of the translation of impersonal sentences

An interesting situation with the translation lies ahead in impersonal sentences. The peculiarity of such proposals is that they do not have an active person. How to translate them into Russian? Without a subject.

Here are some examples:

• It is snowing. => It's snowing.
• It is sunshining. => The sun is shining.
• It is cold. => It's cold.
• It becomes dark very early. => It gets evening very early.

In English impersonal sentences we use it, which is not translated in Russian. We omit this part of the sentence.

More sentences with translation into Russian:

• It seems that you have seen this man before. => It seems that you have already seen this person before.
• It is known that these guys are very talented. => Know that these guys are very talented.
• It becomes deeper and deeper step by step. => Step by step it gets deeper and deeper.

Note! English sentences cannot be translated word for word. They need to be translated comprehensively. For example, in the last sentence, we first translate step by step, and then - It becomes deeper and deeper, although in the sentence the opposite is true. You can, of course, translate Getting Deeper Step by Step, but Step by Step Getting Deeper sounds better.

Other English topics: Coordination of tenses in English: features, exceptions, examples

Features of the translation of compound sentences

Such sentences necessarily have coordinating conjunctions. neither .. .nor, as well as, not only ... but also, but, etc. Such sentences, consisting of two or three parts, are also separated by commas. It is easier both for perception and for translation.

On a note! Simple sentences in compound sentences should be pronounced with a falling intonation.

• A cold wind was blowing and a snowstorm began. => A cold wind was blowing, and a snowstorm began.

In this sentence, the coordinating element is and, but the sentence is compound, not simple. The fact is that both sentences (simple, part of the complex) have a predicate and a subject. If we took, for example, It was cool and windy, then it is clear that this is a simple sentence, because It was applies to cool, and to windy.

But in the proposal A cold wind was blowing and a snowstorm began we see two separate full sentences - 1) A cold wind was blowing, and 2) a snowstorm began.

Here are some more examples:

• The metal is made up of irregularly shaped grains, and these tiny grains are the bundling blocks of the metal. => Metal consists of grains irregular shape, and these smallest grains are the building mass of the metal.
• I wanted to buy a baby Chihuahua so I started to save my money. => I wanted to buy a chihuahua puppy, and so I started saving money.
• His dog has won many prizes, but she doesn't know many tricks. => His dog has won many awards, but she doesn't know a lot of tricks.
• I will be glad to help you; I love to cook. => I'll be glad to help you; I like to cook.

Note! Compound sentences can be translated without conjunctions. A good example is the last sentence.

In addition to compound sentences, sentences are also complex, and they, in turn, also have their own subspecies. That's another topic for that. We will consider it in our other articles.

Summing up

When we study English sentences with translation from Russian into English, it is better to start training with simple ones, and then take on complex ones. If you learn how to correctly translate easy sentences, then you will learn how to competently cope with complex ones. In the latter case, you will need to learn the coordinating conjunctions that are connecting between sentences. Exercise regularly and improve your skills. Good luck!