Conditional sentences are complex sentences that have two parts: a condition and a result. There are 4 types of conditional sentences in English: zero (Zero Conditional), first (First Conditional), second (Second Conditional) and third (Third Conditional). All types use different tenses.
Conditionals (type 0) used to express generally accepted or scientific facts. In this type of conditional sentence, you can use when instead of if.
Type 1 conditional sentences
Conditionals (type 1) used to express real situation in present And future time.
Conditional sentences of type 2
Conditionals (type 2) are used to express an imaginary and unlikely situation in the present and future tense. In the subordinate clause with if in the 1st and 3rd person singular (I, he, she, it) the verb is used were.
Conditional sentences type 3
Conditionals (type 3) are used to express an unreal situation in the past (the situation could have happened under certain conditions in the past, but did not happen, and is therefore considered unreal).
Conditional clauses are usually introduced using if, unless (= if not), providing, provided (that), as long as until then), on condition (that), but for + -ing form/noun (if not), otherwise (otherwise), or else (otherwise), what if (what if), supposing (what if), even if (even if), only if (if only).
- Unless she starts studying harder, she is going to fail her exams. If she Not If she starts studying more diligently, she will fail her exams.
- Get up now or else you will miss your flight. Get up or you won't catch your flight.
- Put your jacket on, otherwise you will get cold. Put on your jacket or you'll catch a cold.
- They will leave on Friday supposing the weather is fine. If the weather will be fine, they are leaving on Friday.
Note
- If a sentence begins only with Only if, the subject and predicate of the main sentence change places: Only if she is dressed formally, will she be allowed in. Only if she is dressed formally will she be allowed through.
- If the offer is if stands before the main clause, the two parts of the sentence are separated by a comma: If you are feeling tired, you must rest. If you feel tired, you should rest. BUT: You must rest if you are feeling tired.
- In sentences with if will, would or should not used: If he stay up late, he can get into trouble. If he goes to bed late, he will be in trouble. BUT: in sentences with if will, would or should are used when it comes to a request, as well as to express irritation, doubt, uncertainty, persistence.
- If she should need help, ask her to call me. I doubt she'll need help, but tell her to call me. If you will stop arguing, we will find a solution. Please stop arguing and we will find a solution.
- If can be omitted if should (cond. 1), were (cond. 2) and had (cond. 3) stand before the subject.
- If he should pass the exam, he will apply to university. — Should he pass the exam, he will apply to university. If he passes the exams, he will go to university.
- If there were an election tomorrow, who would you vote for? — Were there an election tomorrow, who would you vote for? If there are elections tomorrow, who will you vote for?
- If I had known, I would have told you. — Had I known, I would have told you. If I knew, I would tell you.
Expression of desire (Wishes)
The I wish/If only constructions are used to express desire and regret. Equivalent phrases in Russian - it would be nice, if only, if only.
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Verb form |
Examples |
Use |
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I wish/if only+Past Simple/Past Continuous |
I wish I was not working right now (but I am). I wish I wasn’t working now (but I am working). If only I were going to the concert tonight (but I am not). It would be nice to go to a concert today (but I won’t go). |
to express a desire to change the current situation |
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I wish/if only+Past Perfect |
I wish I had studied harder (but I didn't). If only I had studied more diligently (but I didn’t study diligently). If only I had not been so foolish (but I was). If only I weren't such a fool. |
to express regret about something that happened or did not happen in the past |
| I wish/if only+subject(subject) +would+bare infinitive(infinitive without to) | I wish you would not be so rude to your sister. I wish you wouldn't be so rude to your sister. If only you would stop arguing. If you would stop arguing. (request) |
to express the imperative mood in a polite form or the desire to change a situation or a person’s behavior |
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Today in this article we will look at conditional sentences in English. I would like to note that they occur as often as in Russian.
Conditional sentences- these are sentences, in one part of which there is some kind of condition, and in the other - its consequence. Both parts of such a sentence can apply to all tenses - i.e. to the present, past and future. The part of the sentence in which the condition is located is called a subordinate clause, and the part where there is a result (consequence) of this condition is called the main clause.
Types of Conditional Sentences
In this article we will look at only one of them - These are conditional sentences of type 1 (First Conditional sentences), the condition of which is real in the future tense. The first type of conditional sentences is called real, because its condition is quite feasible.
Formation of conditional sentences Conditional 1
Subordinate clause starting with the word if, can appear either at the beginning of a complex sentence (before the main clause) or at the end.
Important!
If if stands at the beginning, then a comma is placed after it.
If if stands at the end, then there is no comma before it.
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Examples of Conditional I sentences
If you finish on time, we’ll go to the cinema. If you finish on time, we'll go to the cinema. We'll go to the cinema if you finish on time. We'll go to the cinema if you finish on time. If I know her telephone number, I will call her. If I find out her phone number, I'll call her. I’ll call her if I know her telephone number. I'll call her if I find out her phone number.
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Using the future tense when translating conditional sentences
Important!
Despite the fact that the present tense is used in the subordinate clause, all sentences are translated into Russian using the future tense.
Examples of translating conditional sentences using the future tense
If you go with me, we'll have a good time. If you come with me, we'll have a good time. You’ll go to the cinema if you do your homework. You will go to the cinema if you do your homework. If you buy butter and milk, we’ll make a cake. If you buy butter and milk, we will bake a cake. If he gets excellent marks, he will go to the university. If he gets excellent grades, he will go to university
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Features of the use of verbs in conditional sentences Conditional 1
When forming conditional sentences, it is important to remember that some verbs do not form the Present Indefinite tense according to the rules. First of all, this is the verb “to be” to be, which in the present tense has the following forms: am, is, are. It is also the verb "to have" have and its forms have and has. And, of course, the modal verbs can, may, must
Examples of using conditional sentences with the verb to be, to have and modal verbs
The boss will be angry if I am late for work. The boss will be angry if I'm late. If you can't do that task in maths, I"ll help you. If you can't do the math task, I'll help you. I'll make you a sandwich if your wife has no time. I'll make you a sandwich, if your wife has no time. We won't go to the park if it rains. We won't go to the park if it rains. If you must not eat sweets or sugar, I’ll give you lots of fruit. If you don’t come in time, I won’t be able to meet you. If you don't come on time, I won't be able to meet you.
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watch video on Conditions 1
Our life depends on a huge number of conditions, and this is reflected in our speech. In English and Russian, sentences that begin with the word “if” are very popular. After all, we say every day that we will do something if something happens, that is, we set a condition.
- I will come, If I'll finish early.
- I'll buy you a radio-controlled helicopter, If you will behave well.
How conditional sentences are constructed in English
A conditional sentence consists of two parts: a condition and a result. The condition is easy to recognize, it always begins with the word if(If). The result usually tells us what will happen if the condition is met. There are 4 main types of conditionals in English: zero (Zero Conditional), first ( First Conditional), second ( Second Conditional) and third ( Third Conditional). All types use different tenses.
Remember the famous saying: “If only mushrooms grew in your mouth, then there would be not a mouth, but a whole garden.” This is a typical example of a conditional sentence. Mushrooms do not grow in the mouth, that is, the condition is not met, which means, as a result, the mouth cannot be a garden.
The condition can be either at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. In Russian, we always separate the condition from the result with a comma. In English, we only use a comma when the condition comes at the beginning.
I'll come if I finish early. – I will come if I finish my work early.
If I finish early, I'll come. – If I finish my work early , I will come.
- There are several more types of mixed conditionals, you can read about them in the article “”.
Zero Conditional - conditional sentences of zero type
This type shows a condition that will always be true: scientific facts, laws of nature, generally accepted or obvious statements. Usually offers with Zero Conditional translated in the present tense because they are always true. Zero Conditional is formed according to the following scheme:
If you cut your finger with a knife, it hurts. – If you cut finger with a knife, he hurts.
Snow melts if the temperature rises above zero. - Snow melts if temperature rises above zero.
Zero Conditional also used to give directions or instructions. In this case, the result will be used rather than Present Simple.
If you don't want to be late, hurry up. – If you do not want be late hurry up.
Take a nap if you feel tired. – Take a nap if You tired.
Watch an interesting video about type zero conditionals:
First Conditional - conditional sentences of the first type
A conditional sentence of the first type is also called a “real” conditional, because it shows an action that is likely to happen if the condition is met. Such sentences describe a situation that will happen in the future tense.
When constructing similar sentences in Russian, we use the future tense in the condition and as a result, but in English only the result will be the future tense, and in the condition – the present.
You will find a good job if you study well. - You you'll find Good work, if you will Fine study.
If the weather is good, we' ll walk our dogs in the park. – If weather will good, we let's go for a walk dogs in the park.
Also First Conditional often used when we want to warn or warn against something.
You will get into trouble if you continue to hang out with her. - You you'll get there in trouble, if you continue communicate with her.
If you drink much coffee, you won't sleep at night. – If You will you drink a lot of coffee then you won't sleep at night.
In order to better understand conditional sentences of the first type, we recommend watching this video:
Second Conditional - conditional sentences of the second type
This type of conditional is called "unreal present". It shows an unlikely or imaginary situation that refers to the present or future tense. This situation usually does not correspond to the facts in the present. That is, the chance that this action will occur is small, but not completely excluded.
If I were a billionaire, I would buy an island. – If I was billionaire, I I would buy island.
If I lived in the countryside, I would walk in the forest every day. – If I lived out of town, I I'd like to go for a walk in the forest every day.
This is the responsibility Second Conditional don't end. We also use this type of sentence to give advice.
I would never do this if I were you. - I would never this didn't, if there was you.
If I were in a tricky situation, I would take this opportunity. – If I hit in a difficult situation, I I would use it this opportunity.
Notice one thing about the verb to be. Conditional sentences use one form were for singular and plural. Was- This is a colloquial option, it is often found in everyday speech.
If I were in your shoes, I would make up with her and start speaking again. = If I was in your shoes, I would make up with her and start speaking again. – If I was you, I I would make peace with her and began talk again.
Here is another interesting video that will tell you about the second type of conditional sentences:
Third Conditional - conditional sentences of the third type
The third type is called the “unreal past.” Its whole essence can be expressed in one phrase: regret about the past. Sometime in the past something happened, we regret it, but we can no longer change the event (unless, of course, they invent a time machine). This is the only type of conditional sentence that refers to the past tense.
If I hadn't missed the bus, I wouldn't have been late for work. – If I I'm not late on the bus, I I wouldn't be late to work.
If he had been more diligent, he would have been promoted long time ago. – If He was more responsible, him would for a long time promoted.
Also Third Conditional used when we criticize some actions that happened in the past and which we cannot change.
If you had listened carefully, you wouldn't have made so many mistakes. – If are you paying attention listened, You I wouldn't allow it so many mistakes.
If you didn't left your car opened, it wouldn't have been stolen. – If You didn't leave the car is open, it wouldn't have been stolen.
Third Conditional shows not only the negative past. We also use it when we want to report good events that happened in the past and have positively impacted our present.
He wouldn't have made this discovery if he hadn't done precise calculations. - He wouldn't commit this is a discovery if I hadn't very accurate calculations.
If I hadn't been taken the wrong way, I wouldn't have met you. – If I did not go on the wrong road I I wouldn't have met you.
This video will help you understand the third type of conditional sentences:
Please note that there are a couple of typos in the video: the condition in the past didn't happen d And insted instead of instead.
A few facts about conditional sentences in English
- The basic formula by which conditional sentences are constructed is the tenses of the group Simple+ modal verbs will/would. But she is far from the only one. Band times Continuous and modal verbs can/could, may/might, must, should also found in conditional sentences.
- Verbs would And had have one abbreviated form - 'd. Always look carefully at what verb is in front of you.
- And for dessert, we'll add one more interesting fact about conditional sentences. Inversion is possible in all types. You can read about it in the article "".
If you are riding a horse backwards, you can fall off and break a leg. - If you are you're going on a horse backwards, you can fall and break your leg.
If you hadn't understood the First Conditional, you should have looked at the example. – If you don’t understand the first conditional, you should have look at the example.
If I 'd known, I 'd have come. = If I had known, I would have come. - If I had known, I would have come.
We also suggest taking a look at the table with all types of conditional sentences in the English language discussed in this article. You can also download this table:
| Conditional type | How is it formed | Example | |
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| Condition | Result | ||
| 0 Conditional Real always |
If + Present Simple, | Present Simple | If a cat sees a dog, it runs away.
If a cat sees a dog, he runs away. |
| 1 st Conditional Real present or future |
If + Present Simple, | Future Simple | I will have a cup of coffee if I have a break.
I'll have a cup of coffee if I have a break. |
| 2nd Conditional Unlikely present or future |
If + Past Simple, | would+ verb without to | If I had vacation in summer, I would spend it in Athens.
If I had a summer vacation, I would spend it in Athens. |
| 3rd Conditional Unreal past |
If + Past Perfect, | would have + past participle | If we had taken a taxi, we wouldn't have missed the plane.
If we had taken a taxi, we would not have missed the plane. |
(*pdf, 186 Kb)
Now we invite you to take our test to consolidate your knowledge about 4 types of conditional sentences.
Test
Conditional sentences in English
Conditional sentences in English are sentences that contain some kind of condition and thus connect 2 events, for example:
“If a frog falls on you, you will definitely marry successfully” :-).
There are conditional sentences real(they have happened, will happen or are likely to happen) and unreal(i.e. events that definitely will not happen, but are fictitious, incredible).
Conditional sentences are divided into several types. Let's look at each type in a little more detail. So,
Conditional sentences of the zero type, or Zero Conditional
This absolutely real, actually occurring events that are always true, such as scientific facts . Relates to the present time.
if + Present Simple + Present Simple
If the temperature is below zero, water freezes. (If temperature goes down below zero, water starts to freeze)
Conditional sentences of the first type, or First Conditional
The first type of conditional sentence 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'll take over)
Conditional sentences of the second type, or Second Conditional
The second and third types of conditional sentences indicate 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 past tenses coincide (remember that it is in the RUSSIAN language). In the English version, these will be completely different sentences. How can we understand what we are talking 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 time, for example, “now” or “last week”, etc.
So, the second type of conditional sentences refers to the present tense .
If +Past Simple +would +Infinitive
The verb most often used in the main clause is would , but can be used could / might . Although this type of conditional sentence is formed in the past tense, it actually denotes the present. For example:
If I got the job I'd (=I would) move to Vienna now. ( If I received work, then would move to Vienna now.)
If you came in time, you could catch the train. ( If You came on time then I could leave by train) - we mean now based on the forms of the verb, because there are no marker words indicating time).
BUT#1: Form was often replaced by were (typical for formal speech).
If I were you I would sell this house. (If I were you, I would sell this house.)
BUT#2: Usually in a subordinate clause after if we don't use would, except in cases when we politely ask someone, For example, in an official letter(don’t forget that the British are sooooo polite people and even after breaking 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
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 I wish I had time On the train)
Offers with wish
Instead of if you can often find sentences with a 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 design is translated into Russian "what a pity". Besides, affirmative sentences are translated negatively and vice versa - negative sentences are translated affirmatively.
I wish you were here. ( It's a pity, what 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 do and we would like them to change. This design not used in relation to your loved one, and also in relation to what no one can change. Although in exceptional cases this can be said, for example, about the weather.
I wish that he would not eat much chocolate ( I not happy, What he eats so much chocolate.) - I would like to change that.
I wish that it would stop raining! ( I wish I could to the rain has stopped) - 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! - This wrong, we don’t say that about ourselves!!! We can change our behavior, right?! Therefore, we do not classify the proposal as unrealistic!) .
Therefore, this proposal should be said like this:
I wish I studied harder. ( I would like to work harder) - This Right!
If only...
Iwish for expressiveness can be replaced by ifonly
If only I hadn't watched that film. ( I wish I didn't look This movie)
If only I could speak English well. ( Now if I spoke English is good...)
Mixed Conditions
The fun begins when conditionals are mixed . But don’t panic, you need to carefully analyze both parts of the sentence and decide which times they refer 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 was rich, I'm I would buy yesterday that house) - type 2 + type 3
Now you can move on to practice:
Beware: the most difficult topic in the English language!
Quite a lot of people confuse verb tenses in sentences with “if”. There are many subtleties in using conditional sentences. Native speakers often don't think about why they use one type or another, but in fact, these types are very important, since the meaning of the entire sentence depends on them.
An “if” clause usually begins with a condition (that is, a conditional clause or if-clause) and expresses cause and effect—in other words, what might happen if an event occurs. There are three main types of conditionals:
Type I: If + Present Simple + will do, can do, may / might do
Type I is used when a future event seems probable from the speaker's point of view. For example:
- If you tidy up your room, you will find your book. — If you put your room in order, you will find your book.
- If they don't arrive, we will go without them. - If they don’t come, we’ll go without them.
- If we miss the bus, we can catch the next one. — If we miss the bus, we'll take the next one.
- If I get his number, I might phone him. “If I get his number, maybe I’ll call him.”
This also includes conditions of the form + Present Simple, if we are talking about events that are always true. Sometimes they are separated into a separate “zero” type:
- If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. — If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
Type II: If + Past Simple + would do, could do, might do
Type II is used when talking about events that are possible but unlikely, as well as unrealistic events in the present. For example:
- If you visited me, you would see my brother. - If you came to me, you would see my brother.
- If the weather was fine, we would go out for a walk. — If the weather was good, we would go for a walk.
- If I were* rich, I would travel around the world. - If I were rich, I would travel the world.
- If we saved some money, we could buy a new computer. — If we saved up some money, we could buy a new computer.
* Some may say “If I was rich”, but the correct word would be “If I were rich”:
In this case, were is not a plural, but a "trace" of the subjunctive mood in English, which was once used to express varying degrees of probability or certainty. If you studied Latin or French, these languages have a more complete representation of the subjunctive mood.
Type III: If + Past Perfect + would have done, could have done, might have done.
Type III is used when talking about unrealistic situations in the past or those that could have happened but did not. For example:
- If I hadn’t been so busy yesterday, I would have telephoned you. “If I hadn’t been so busy yesterday, I would have called you.”
- If he had driven more carefully, he wouldn’t have crashed that bike. — If he had driven more carefully, he would not have hit that bicycle.
- If I had known this beforehand, I would have told you. “If I had known this in advance, I would have told you too.”
- They could have caught the train if they hadn’t spent so much time arguing. “They could have caught the train if they hadn’t spent so much time arguing.”
- If you had read that book, you would have learned a lot of information. “If you read that book, you would get a lot of new information from it.”
So, you have mastered a very important topic. Now you know the difference between real, unlikely and unreal voices in conditional clauses in English. But it’s not enough to know: our teachers will help you feel the subjunctive mood. After all, this is quite real!