A conditional sentence is a complex sentence with a subordinate clause of condition that usually begins with the conjunction IF. The clause of condition (the if-clause) indicates the conditions under which the action in the main clause may be realized.

For the purposes of studying, conditional sentences are usually divided into three main types: 1. structures with real condition (first type of conditional sentences, or first conditional); 2. structures with unreal condition referring to the present or future (second type of conditional sentences, or second conditional); 3. structures with unreal condition referring to the past (third type of conditional sentences, or third conditional).

Note: Conditional sentences of the first type (real condition, indicative mood) are described here for comparison with conditional sentences of the second and third type (unreal condition, subjunctive mood). Adverbial clauses of condition are also described in the material in the section Grammar.

real condition

Conditional sentences with real condition express real, true to fact / factual conditions under which the action in the main clause can be realized. The tenses of the indicative mood are used. In most cases, conditions in the future are expressed, but other situations and tenses are also possible. Note that the future tense with the verb WILL is not allowed after IF in clauses of condition. The future idea is usually expressed by the Simple Present in the if-clause of condition.

She will talk to him if she sees him.

If I have enough time tonight, I will help you.

They will bring their book if they find it.

If he doesn't do his home assignment, he will not watch TV.

If you want to pass your exams, you must study.

You may go home if you have finished your work.

If he talked to her yesterday, he told her about our plan.

Note: WILL and WOULD after IF

There are certain cases in which the use of WILL or WOULD after IF is allowed in clauses of condition. WILL can be used after IF to make a polite request to do something. WOULD can be used after IF to express a very polite request to do something, especially in formal style. Though such constructions are in the form of conditional sentences, there is actually no condition in them, and the verb WILL (or WOULD) after IF in such constructions expresses volition to do something, ie, if you will / if you would = if you wish, if you want.

If you will excuse me, I have to leave now.

If you will please wait here, the doctor will see you as soon as he is free.

If you would kindly wait here, I would be very much obliged to you.

I would be very grateful if you would send me your catalogue.

(Various types of polite requests with WILL and WOULD are described in in the section Grammar.)

Also, WILL can be used after IF in such constructions to insist strongly on doing something, to refuse to do something, or to emphasize the result of the future action. Compare these examples:

If you go on smoking so much, you will ruin your health. – If you will go on smoking so much, you will ruin your health.

If Mike doesn't help her, Tom will help her. - If Mike won't help her, Tom will.

I can make your favorite cherry pie for you if you buy sugar on your way home. – I can make your favorite cherry pie for you if it will make you feel better.

unreal condition

Supposition in English is expressed with the help of the past tense, usually by the verbs WOULD, SHOULD, COULD, and MIGHT. There are various types of supposition, for example, hypothesis, assumption, possibility, probability. Also, suggestions, offers, and polite requests are often made in suppositional form. (See examples of various types of supposition expressed by these verbs in the material in the section Grammar.)

Conditional sentences with unreal condition in the subordinate clause of condition (if-clause) express hypothetical, unlikely, improbable, unreal, contrary to fact conditions under which the action in the main clause might be realized or might have been realized. The forms in the subjunctive mood are used. The Past Subjunctive is used in the subordinate clause to express unreal condition in the present or future. The Past Perfect Subjunctive is used in the subordinate clause to express unreal condition in the past.

Unreal condition in the present or future (Second type of conditional sentences)

The situation refers to the present or future, and there still exists a hypothetical possibility of realizing the indicated action, but this possibility is unlikely or unreal because the condition of its realization is unlikely or unreal.

To show unreal condition in the present or future, the verb in the subordinate clause (ie, where the condition is stated) is used in the Past Subjunctive, which is the same in form as the Simple Past Tense (eg, knew, wanted) . The construction would + simple infinitive (without "to") is used in the main clause. In speech, WOULD may be contracted to "d.

I would call him now if I knew his telephone number. (I don't know his telephone number.)

If she had friends, she would not feel so lonely. (But she doesn't have friends.)

If I had enough time tonight, I "d help you. (If I had enough time tonight, I would help you.)

If he repaired his car tomorrow, he would go to the summer house on Friday.

Ella would be disappointed if we didn't come to her party tomorrow.

What would you do if you found a thousand dollars on the street?

If I found a thousand dollars on the street, I would buy presents and sweets for all the children in our apartment house.

The verb BE in the Past Subjunctive

The verb BE in the if-clauses with unreal condition referring to the present or future is used in the form WERE for all persons. WERE is the form of the verb BE in the Past Subjunctive. The form WAS may be used in third everyday speech for the first and person in the singular, especially in British English.

If I were rich, I would take a trip around the world. (But I'm not rich.)

If she were at home, she would pick up the phone.

If I were you, I "d do it. (If I were you, I would do it.)

I wouldn't do it if I were you.

If he were my brother, I "d go crazy. (standard) - If he was my brother, I" d go crazy. (informal)

I wouldn't ask you to help my sister if you weren't her friend.

The construction WERE TO emphasizes the hypothetical character of the condition and indicates that the action is even less likely to happen. Compare these sentences:

What would you do if you lost your job? – What would you do if you were to lose your job?

If he died tomorrow, there would be no one left to continue his work. – If he were to die tomorrow, there would be no one left to continue his work.

Note that the phrase "If I were you" which is often used for giving advice is the same in the second and third types of if-clauses with unreal condition. compare:

If I were you, I would buy a new car.

If I were you, I would have bought a new car a long time ago.

Unreal condition in the past (Third type of conditional sentences)

The situation refers to the past, the time is gone, and there is no possibility of realizing the indicated condition and the action that depends on this condition because they are already in the past. Thus, the condition indicated in the if-clause is unrealizable, unreal, and contrary to fact.

To show unreal condition in the past, the verb in the subordinate clause (ie, in the part where the condition is stated) is used in the Past Perfect Subjunctive, which is the same in form as the Past Perfect (eg, had known, had wanted). The construction would + perfect infinitive (i.e., would + have + past participle) is used in the main clause. HAD and WOULD may be contracted to "d in speech.

If I had known his telephone number then, I would have called him. (But I didn't know his telephone number then, and I didn't call him.)

If she had wanted to visit us yesterday, she would have found the time for it.

If you had told me about it at that time, I would not have believed you.

If he had asked her to help him before his exam, she would certainly have helped him.

If you "d asked him, he" d have helped you. (If you had asked him, he would have helped you.)

If I "d seen him, I" d have talked to him. (If I had seen him, I would have talked to him.)

If I "d had enough time yesterday, I" d have done it. (If I had had enough time yesterday, I would have done it.)

If he had not told me, I would never have guessed what he was up to.

What would he have done if he hadn't been sick last week?

If he hadn't been sick last week, he would have gone to the lake with his friends.

We would have gone to the park yesterday if it had not been raining so hard.

COULD and MIGHT in conditional sentences

Modal verbs COULD and MIGHT are often used in the main clause of conditional sentences with unreal condition, and COULD is sometimes used in the if-clause with unreal condition. The verb MAY is generally not used in conditional sentences with unreal condition.

She might go for a walk in the park if it stopped raining.

I could invite her if I saw her tomorrow.

If we left before five, we could catch the six o "clock train.

If we had left before five, we could have caught the six o "clock train. (We didn't leave before five, and we didn't catch the six o" clock train.)

If he hadn't met Maria, he might have remained a bachelor.

If I could ask him about it, I would certainly do so.

She might get a better job if she could speak English.

SHOULD after IF

SHOULD can be used after IF in clauses with real or unreal condition referring to the future to show that the indicated action is even less likely to happen. Compare these pairs of standard conditional sentences and those in which SHOULD add more uncertainty to the supposition about the indicated condition.

Real condition (first type): If he comes before five o "clock, I will ask him to wait for you. - If he should come before five o" clock, I will ask him to wait for you.

Real condition (first type): If any problems arise, inform the manager. – Should any problems arise, inform the manager.

Unreal condition (second type): If he came before five o "clock, I would be very surprised. - If he should come before five o" clock, I would be very surprised.

Note: SHOULD in the main clause

Constructions like "If you asked me, I would help you" (unreal condition in the present or future) and "If you had asked us, we would have helped you" (unreal condition in the past) are standard constructions used in conditional sentences with unreal condition. They are very common in both British English and American English.

Constructions like "If you asked me, I should help you" and "If you had asked us, we should have helped you" are also used in British English. In such constructions, SHOULD after the pronouns I and WE in the main clause has the same meaning as WOULD.

Absence of IF

The conjunction IF is sometimes omitted in the conditional sentences in which the if-clause contains SHOULD, WERE or HAD. In such cases, SHOULD, WERE, or HAD is moved to the beginning of the sentence and stands before the subject of the if-clause. In the negative sentences without IF, the negative particle is NOT contracted with the auxiliary verb and stands after the subject of the subordinate clause. Examples of conditional sentences with and without the conjunction IF:

Real condition (first type): If Mr. Rox should call, ask him to call me again after five. – Should Mr. Rox call, ask him to call me again after five.

Unreal condition (second type): If you should want to go to a restaurant, I would be glad to keep you company. – Should you want to go to a restaurant, I would be glad to keep you company.

Unreal condition (second type): If I were younger, I would go to the mountains with you. – Were I younger, I would go to the mountains with you.

Unreal condition (second type, negative form): If I weren "t so tired, I would help you. - Were I not so tired, I would help you.

Unreal condition (third type): If he had known about it, he would have refused to go there. – Had he known about it, he would have refused to go there.

Unreal condition (third type, negative form): If he hadn "t known about it, he would have agreed to go there. - Had he not known about it, he would have agreed to go there.

mixed conditionals

Generally, both parts of conditional sentences with unreal condition refer to the same time. But there may be cases in which one part refers to the present or future, and the other part refers to the past. Such constructions are called mixed conditionals.

If he were a good specialist, he would have found the problem with my computer quickly enough yesterday.

If he had sold his paintings when he had good offers, he could buy a house for his family now.

implied condition

In the examples below, unreal condition is implied, not stated directly. The context makes the meaning clear, and the verb is used in the same form as in the main clause of the full conditional sentence with unreal condition.

I talked with Tom and Nina today. They would be glad to see you.

Why didn't you call me? I would have come to your house right away.

I would have visited them, but I didn't know their address.

BUT FOR and IF NOT FOR

Sometimes, the if-clause of unreal condition is replaced by the construction BUT FOR (or IF NOT FOR) + noun or pronoun. Such structures can be used in situations referring to the past or present. Compare these pairs of conditional sentences:

But for the children, they would have divorced years ago. - If it hadn "t been for the children, they would have divorced years ago.

But for the traffic jams, I "d like it here very much. - If it weren" t for the traffic jams, I "d like it here very much.

If not for her, he would never have become such a good doctor. - If it hadn "t been for her, he would never have become such a good doctor.

WHAT IF and SUPPOSE THAT

After "What if; Suppose that; Let"s suppose that; Supposing that", either real condition (indicative mood) or unreal condition (subjunctive mood) can be used, depending on the meaning and context. (The conjunction "that" is often omitted after Suppose / Supposing.) Compare these sentences:

What if he decides to go there? What will you do?

What if she lost your diamond ring? Would you forgive her?

Suppose he refuses to help us? – In that case, we will ask someone else.

Supposing it rained tomorrow. What would you do? – In that case, we would stay home.

Suppose that he had told her about his past before their wedding five years ago. Do you think she would have married him?

Note: Examples of use

The Past Subjunctive is the same in form as the Simple Past Tense, and the Past Perfect Subjunctive is the same in form as the Past Perfect Tense. Moreover, the situations in which they are used may be similar.

Examples illustrating the use of real and unreal condition in similar situations are given at the end of in the section Grammar.

Other examples, as well as explanations of difficult similar cases, can be found in several answers to visitors" questions in the subsection Messages about Grammar (Subjunctive) of the section Messages.

Recommendations

Conditional sentences with real and unreal condition are widely used in English, but they are difficult for language learners. Use standard constructions with real and unreal condition and make your conditional sentences simple and short.

Conditional sentences

A conditional sentence is a complex sentence with a subordinate clause of a condition, which usually begins with the union IF. The if-clause specifies the conditions under which the action in the main clause can be performed.

For study purposes, conditional sentences are usually divided into three main types: 1. constructions with a real condition (first conditional - the first type of conditional sentences); 2. constructions with an unrealistic condition related to the present or future (second conditional - the second type of conditional sentences); 3. constructions with an unrealistic condition related to the past (third conditional - the third type of conditional sentences).

Note: Conditional sentences of the first type (real condition, indicative mood) are described here for comparison with conditional sentences of the second and third type (unreal condition, subjunctive mood). Adverbial clauses of the condition are also described in the material "Word Order in Complex Sentences" in the Grammar section.

Real Condition

Conditional sentences with a real condition express real, true-to-life conditions under which an action in the main clause can be performed. The indicative tenses are used. In most cases, conditions are expressed in the future, but other situations and times are also possible. Note that the future tense with the verb WILL is not allowed after IF in a subordinate clause. Usually, the future is expressed by the simple present in a subordinate clause.

She will talk to him if she sees him.

If I have enough time tonight, I will help you.

They will bring his book if they find it.

If he doesn't do his homework, he won't watch TV.

If you want to pass exams, you must study.

You can go home if you have finished your work.

If he talked to her yesterday, he told her about our plan.

Note: WILL and WOULD after IF

There are certain cases in which the use of WILL or WOULD after IF is allowed in conditional clauses. WILL can be used after IF to express a polite request to do something. WOULD can be used after IF in very polite requests to do something, especially in a formal way. Although such constructions are in the form of conditional sentences, they do not actually contain a condition, and the verb WILL (or WOULD) after IF in such constructions expresses the desire to do something, i.e. if you will / if you would = if you wish, if you want (if you wish).

Please excuse me, I have to leave now.

If you'd be so kind as to wait here, the doctor will see you as soon as he's free.

If you would be so kind as to wait here, I would be very obliged to you.

I would be very grateful if you could (kindly) send me your catalogue.

(Different types of polite requests with WILL and WOULD are described in the article "Requests and Permission" in the Grammar section.)

Also, WILL can be used after IF in such constructions to insist on doing something, to refuse to do something, or to emphasize the result of a future action. Compare these examples:

If you continue to smoke so much, you will undermine your health. If you persist in smoking so much, you will undermine your health.

If Mike doesn't help her, Tom will help her. If Mike refuses to help her, Tom will help.

I can make your favorite cherry pie if you buy some sugar on your way home. I can make your favorite cherry pie if it makes you feel better.

Unreal condition

Suggestion in English is expressed using the past tense, usually with the verbs WOULD, SHOULD, COULD, and MIGHT. There are different types of guess, eg guess, hypothesis, assumption, probability. Also, offers and polite requests are often made in a presumptive manner. (See "Overview of Modal Verbs" in the Grammar section for examples of the different types of suggestion these verbs express.)

Conditional sentences with an unrealistic condition in the subordinate clause of the condition express conjectural, unlikely, unrealistic, contrary to the actual state of affairs conditions under which the action in the main clause could be performed. Subjunctive forms are used. The Past Subjunctive is used in a subordinate clause to express an unreal condition in the present or future. The Past Perfect Subjunctive is used in a subordinate clause to express an unreal condition in the past.

Unreal condition in the present or future (Second type of conditional sentences)

The situation refers to the present or future, and there is still a supposed possibility to perform the specified action, but this possibility is unlikely or unrealistic, because. improbable or unrealistic condition for its implementation.

To show an unreal condition in the present or future, the verb in the subordinate clause (i.e., where the condition is indicated) is used in the Past Subjunctive form, which is the same in form as the Simple Past tense (for example, knew, wanted). The main clause uses would + simple infinitive (without the particle "to"). In speech, WOULD can be shortened to "d.

I would call him now if I knew his phone number. (I don't know his phone number.)

If she had friends, she wouldn't feel so lonely. (But she has no friends.)

If I had enough time tonight, I would help you.

If he fixed his car tomorrow, he would go to the country house on Friday.

Ella would be disappointed if we didn't come to her party tomorrow.

What would you do if you found a thousand dollars on the street?

If I found a thousand dollars on the street, I would buy gifts and candy for all the children in our house.

Verb BE in Past Subjunctive

The verb BE of clauses with an unreal condition referring to the present or future is used as the form WERE for all persons. WERE is the Past Subjunctive form of the verb BE. The WAS form can be used colloquially for the first and third person singular, especially in British English.

If I were rich, I would travel around the world. (But I'm not rich.)

If she were at home, she would pick up the phone.

If I were you, I would do it.

I wouldn't do this if I were you.

If he were my brother, I would go crazy.

I wouldn't ask you to help my sister if you weren't her friend.

The WERE TO clause emphasizes the conjectural nature of the condition and indicates that the action is even less likely. Compare these offers:

What would you do if you lost your job? What would you do if (it happened that) you lost your job?

If he died tomorrow, there would be no one left to carry on his work. - If (it happened that) he died tomorrow, there would be no one left who would continue his work.

Note that the phrase "If I were you", which is often used to give advice, is the same in the second and third types of unrealistic clauses. Compare:

If I were you, I would buy a new car.

If I were you, I would have bought a new car long ago.

Unreal condition in the past (Third type of conditional sentences)

The situation belongs to the past, time has passed, and there is no way to fulfill the specified condition and the action that depends on this condition, because. they are already in the past. Thus, the condition specified in the if-clause is impossible, unrealistic, and contrary to the actual state of affairs.

To show an unreal condition in the past, the verb in the subordinate clause (i.e., in the part where the condition is indicated) is used in the Past Perfect Subjunctive form, which is the same in form as the Past Perfect (for example, had known, had wanted). The main clause uses the construction would + perfect infinitive (i.e. would + have + past participle). HAD and WOULD can be abbreviated to "d" in spoken language.

If I had known his phone number then, I would have called him. (But I didn't know his phone number then, and I didn't call him.)

If she wanted to visit us yesterday, she would have found time for it.

If you had told me about it at the time, I would not have believed you.

If he had asked her to help him before his exam, she would certainly have helped him.

If you asked him, he would help you.

If I saw him, I would talk to him.

If I had had enough time yesterday, I would have done it.

If he hadn't told me, I would never have guessed what he was up to.

What would he have done if he had not been sick last week?

If he hadn't been sick last week, he would have gone to the lake with his friends.

We would have gone to the park yesterday if it hadn't been raining so hard.

COULD and MIGHT in conditionals

The modal verbs COULD and MIGHT are often used in the main clause of conditional clauses, and COULD is sometimes used in a subordinate clause with an unreal condition. The verb MAY is usually not used in conditional sentences with an unrealistic condition.

She could go for a walk in the park if the rain stopped.

I could invite her if I saw her tomorrow.

If we had left before five, we could have caught the six o'clock train.

If we had left before five, we could have caught the six o'clock train. (We didn't leave until five, and we missed the six o'clock train.)

If he had not met Maria, he might have remained a bachelor.

If I could ask him about it, I would certainly do it.

She could get a better job if she could speak English.

SHOULD after IF

SHOULD can be used after IF in clauses with a real or unreal condition referring to the future to indicate even less likelihood that the specified action will occur. Compare these pairs of standard conditional clauses and those in which SHOULD add more uncertainty to the assumption of the specified condition.

Real condition (first type): If he arrives before five o'clock, I will ask him to wait for you. “If it happens that he arrives before five o’clock, I will ask him to wait for you.

Real condition (first type): If there are any problems, tell the manager. - If (suddenly) there are any problems, tell the manager.

Unrealistic condition (second type): If he came before five o'clock, I would be very surprised. If it happened that he would come before five o'clock, I would be very surprised.

Note: SHOULD in main clause

Constructions like "If you asked me, I would help you" (an unreal condition in the present or future) and "If you had asked us, we would have helped you" (an unreal condition in the past) are standard constructions in conditional sentences with an unreal condition. They are widely used in British and American English.

Constructions like "If you asked me, I should help you" and "If you had asked us, we should have helped you" are also used in British English. In such constructions, SHOULD after the pronouns I and WE in the main clause has the same meaning as WOULD.

No IF

The conjunction IF is sometimes omitted in those conditional clauses in which the clause contains SHOULD, WERE, or HAD. In such cases, SHOULD, WERE or HAD is moved to the beginning of the clause and comes before the subject of the subordinate clause. In negative sentences without IF, the negative particle NOT is not contracted with the auxiliary verb and comes after the subject clause. Examples of conditional sentences with and without IF:

Real condition (first type): If Mr. Rocks (suddenly) calls, ask him to call me again after five. - If (suddenly) Mr. Rocks calls, ask him to call me again after five.

Unrealistic condition (second type): If you (suddenly) would like to go to a restaurant, I would be happy to accompany you. - If you (suddenly) would like to go to a restaurant, I would be glad to keep you company.

Unrealistic condition (second type): If I were younger, I would go to the mountains with you. - If I were younger, I would go to the mountains with you.

Unreal condition (second type, negative form): If I weren't so tired, I would help you. “If I wasn’t so tired, I would help you.

Unrealistic condition (third type): If he had known about it, he would have refused to go there. If he knew about it, he would refuse to go there.

Unreal condition (third type, negative form): If he didn't know about it, he would agree to go there. If he didn't know about it, he would agree to go there.

Mixed type of conditional sentences

Usually, both parts of conditional sentences with an unreal condition refer to the same tense. But there may be cases in which one part refers to the present or future, and the other part refers to the past. Such constructions are called a mixed type of conditional sentences.

If he was a good specialist, he would have found the problem with my computer quite quickly yesterday.

If he had sold his paintings when he had good offers, he could now buy a house for his family.

Implied condition

In the examples below, the unrealistic condition is implied rather than explicitly stated. The context makes the meaning clear, and the verb is used in the same form as in the main clause of a full conditional with an unreal condition.

I talked to Tom and Nina today. They would be glad to see you.

Why didn't you call me? I would come straight to your house.

I would visit them, but I didn't know their address.

BUT FOR and IF NOT FOR

Sometimes the clause of the unreal condition will be replaced by the construction BUT FOR (or IF NOT FOR) + noun or pronoun. Such constructions can be used in situations related to the past or present. Compare these pairs of conditionals:

If not for the children, they would have divorced long ago. “If it wasn’t for the kids, they would have been divorced a long time ago.

If it weren't for traffic jams, I would really like it here. “If it weren’t for traffic jams, I would really like it here.

If not for her, he would never have become such a good doctor. If not for her, he would never have become such a good doctor.

WHAT IF and SUPPOSE THAT

After What if; Suppose that; Let "s suppose that; Supposing that, a real condition (indicative mood) or an unreal condition (subjunctive mood) can be used, depending on the meaning and context. (The union that is often omitted after Suppose / Supposing.) Compare these sentences:

What if he decides to go there? What are you going to do?

What if she lost your diamond ring? Would you forgive her?

Suppose he refuses to help us. In that case, we'll ask someone else.

Let's say it rains tomorrow. What would you do? In that case, we would have stayed at home.

Suppose he told her about his past before their wedding five years ago. Do you think she would marry him?

Note: Usage examples

The Past Subjunctive is the same form as the Simple Past Tense, and the Past Perfect Subjunctive is the same form as the Past Perfect Tense. Moreover, the situations in which they are used may be similar.

Examples illustrating the use of real and non-real terms in similar situations are given at the end of the material "Subjunctive Mood Summary" in the Grammar section.

More examples, as well as explanations of difficult similar cases, can be found in several responses to visitors' questions in the Messages about Grammar (Subjunctive) section of the Messages section.

Conditional sentences with real and non-real conditions are widely used in English, but they are difficult for language learners. Use standard constructions with real and unreal conditions, and keep your conditionals short and simple.

The use of conditional sentences with real and unreal condition is described in this material.

The use of conditional sentences with a real and unreal condition is described in this material.

Consider example:

If it were not so cold, we wouldn't wear warm clothes. - If it weren't so cold, we wouldn't wear warm clothes (fig. 1).

Rice. 1. Illustration ‘If it weren’t so cold…’ ()

This is a conditional sentence of the 2nd type, referring to the present. The same can be said differently:

But for the cold weather, we wouldn't wear warm clothes.

As you can see, the phrase ‘but for the cold weather’ is synonymous with the conditional part ‘if it were not so cold’. It will be translated into Russian as follows:

If it weren't for the cold weather, we wouldn't wear warm clothes.

Let's consider another example:

If I hadn't surfed the Internet, I wouldn't have got a new job. - If I had not searched on the Internet, I would not have found a new job (Fig. 2).

Rice. 2. Illustration ‘If I hadn’t ...’ ()

But for the Internet, I wouldn't have got a new job. - If not for the Internet, I would not have found a new job.

Let's practice on assignments. Modify the sentences as we did above:

1. If my friend had not given us advice, we wouldn't have found a new flat in this city.

2. If our grandpa didn't have glasses, he wouldn't be able to read newspapers.

3. If my parents hadn't paid for my education, I wouldn't be able to study at the university.

4. If Mike hadn't been a talented actor, he would never have become a film star.

5. If Kelly weren't so stubborn, I wouldn't feel so worried about her.

Right answers:

1. But for my friend's advice, we wouldn't have found a new flat in this city.

2. But for our grandpa's glasses, he wouldn't be able to read newspapers.

3. But for my parents, I wouldn't be able to study at the university.

4. But for Mike's talent, he would never have become a film star.

5. But for Kelly's stubbornness, I wouldn't feel so worried about her.

Bibliography

1. Biboletova M.Z., Babushis E.E. English grade 9. - 2010.
2. Vaulina Yu.E., Dooley D. English grade 9. - M.: Education, 2010.
3. Kaufman K.I., Kaufman M.Yu. English grade 9. - Title, 2007.
4. Golitsynsky Yu.B., Grammar. Collection of exercises - Karo, 2011.

1. Study.ru ().
2. Exeducation.kiev.ua ().
3. English-grammar.biz ().

Homework

1. Page 206-207, ex. 3, read the text and come up with 10 sentences on its content using the ‘But for’ construction, Kaufman K.I., Kaufman M.Yu. English grade 9. - Title, 2007.

2. Rephrase the sentences using ‘But for…’

1. If I had known my friend wasn't invited, I would have never come. 2. You would hardly recognize her with these glasses on if you met her. 3. If a passer-by hadn "t helped us, we would not have found the way. 4. Mother would have had a short rest if the boy had gone to sleep. 5. We wouldn't have made friends with them if we hadn "t stayed at the same hotel. 6. It wouldn't have been so cold in the morning if the wind had stopped blowing. 7. Peter would accept your invitation if he were free from his job. 8. They wouldn't have quarreled if they both had not been so impatient. 9. If they weren't interested in each other, they wouldn't spend so much time together. 10. If it didn't snow, the weather would get warmer.

Comparative designs as if/as though have a translation as (as if). After as if/as though, the action is always unrealistic, even if it doesn't seem so. So, in the main part (before the comparative construction), ordinary tenses are used, after the construction, either the Past Simple form (conditional sentence of the second type) or the Past Perfect form (conditional sentence of the third type) is used.

The Past Simple form is used if the comparison refers to the Present, and the Past Perfect form is used if the comparison refers to the Past. There is no comparison regarding the Future in this case. Present and Past are here - not grammatical concepts. In comparative constructions, not grammatical time is used, but the Subjunctive mood, which coincides in form with Past Simple and Past Perfect.

The present- this is a single time line for action and comparison, although the main verb can have grammatical forms not only Present, but also Past:

You behave (Present Simple) as if you were a child. - You're acting like you're a little kid. (That is, now you have a similar behavior).

He behaved (Past Simple) as though he were a child. - He acted like he was a small child. (There is no tense agreement here, since there is only one grammatical tense!)

Note

To emphasize the duration of the action, in a comparative construction it is possible to use a form similar to the Past Continuous.

He looked as though he were going to get up and leave.

I felt as if I were making the biggest mistake in my life.

Past- the action in the comparative construction is performed earlier than the action expressed by grammatical tense.

She is smiling (Present Continuous) as though she had remembered something funny. She smiles as if she remembered something funny. (That is, she first remembered something (past tense), and only then she began to smile).

She was crying (Past Continuous) as if something terrible happened. She was crying as if something terrible had happened. (Has happened before and caused her to cry.)

Note

If the particle LIKE is used for comparison (like / like), then the subjunctive mood is not used.

In this costume you look like an old man.

In this costume you look as if you were an old man.

turnover but for(if not) allows you to significantly reduce the size of the conditional sentence (of the second and third types), without changing the meaning of what was said. This turnover, as it were, replaces the conditional part of the sentence. In the main part, both Would/Could/Might + infinitive and Would/Could/Might + Have (perfect infinitive) + Done can be used.

After but for either a noun (pronoun, proper name) or a gerund is used. The only condition for using but for is a clearly defined context, otherwise the meaning of what was said will be little understood by others.

But for the traffic jams I would leave home an hour later. (2nd type of conditional sentence) - If it were not for traffic jams, I would leave the house an hour later.

But for the rain we would have already gone for a walk. (3rd type of conditional sentence) - If it were not for the rain, we would have already gone for a walk.

turnover but for usually placed at the beginning of a sentence, but it can also be placed in the middle.

They would have gone bankrupt last year but for your financial help. - They would have gone bankrupt last year if not for your financial assistance.

Consider example:

If it were not so cold, we wouldn't wear warm clothes. - If it weren't so cold, we wouldn't wear warm clothes (fig. 1).

Rice. 1. Illustration ‘If it weren’t so cold…’ ()

This is a conditional sentence of the 2nd type, referring to the present. The same can be said differently:

But for the cold weather, we wouldn't wear warm clothes.

As you can see, the phrase ‘but for the cold weather’ is synonymous with the conditional part ‘if it were not so cold’. It will be translated into Russian as follows:

If it weren't for the cold weather, we wouldn't wear warm clothes.

Let's consider another example:

If I hadn't surfed the Internet, I wouldn't have got a new job. - If I had not searched on the Internet, I would not have found a new job (Fig. 2).

Rice. 2. Illustration ‘If I hadn’t ...’ ()

But for the Internet, I wouldn't have got a new job. - If not for the Internet, I would not have found a new job.

Let's practice on assignments. Modify the sentences as we did above:

1. If my friend had not given us advice, we wouldn't have found a new flat in this city.

2. If our grandpa didn't have glasses, he wouldn't be able to read newspapers.

3. If my parents hadn't paid for my education, I wouldn't be able to study at the university.

4. If Mike hadn't been a talented actor, he would never have become a film star.

5. If Kelly weren't so stubborn, I wouldn't feel so worried about her.

Right answers:

1. But for my friend's advice, we wouldn't have found a new flat in this city.

2. But for our grandpa's glasses, he wouldn't be able to read newspapers.

3. But for my parents, I wouldn't be able to study at the university.

4. But for Mike's talent, he would never have become a film star.

5. But for Kelly's stubbornness, I wouldn't feel so worried about her.

Bibliography

1. Biboletova M.Z., Babushis E.E. English grade 9. - 2010.
2. Vaulina Yu.E., Dooley D. English grade 9. - M.: Education, 2010.
3. Kaufman K.I., Kaufman M.Yu. English grade 9. - Title, 2007.
4. Golitsynsky Yu.B., Grammar. Collection of exercises - Karo, 2011.

1. Study.ru ().
2. Exeducation.kiev.ua ().
3. English-grammar.biz ().

Homework

1. Page 206-207, ex. 3, read the text and come up with 10 sentences on its content using the ‘But for’ construction, Kaufman K.I., Kaufman M.Yu. English grade 9. - Title, 2007.

2. Rephrase the sentences using ‘But for…’

1. If I had known my friend wasn't invited, I would have never come. 2. You would hardly recognize her with these glasses on if you met her. 3. If a passer-by hadn "t helped us, we would not have found the way. 4. Mother would have had a short rest if the boy had gone to sleep. 5. We wouldn't have made friends with them if we hadn "t stayed at the same hotel. 6. It wouldn't have been so cold in the morning if the wind had stopped blowing. 7. Peter would accept your invitation if he were free from his job. 8. They wouldn't have quarreled if they both had not been so impatient. 9. If they weren't interested in each other, they wouldn't spend so much time together. 10. If it didn't snow, the weather would get warmer.

4. The use of the subjunctive mood with comparative constructions as if\as though. turnover but for

Comparative designs as if/as though have a translation as (as if). After as if/as though, the action is always unrealistic, even if it doesn't seem so. So, in the main part (before the comparative construction), ordinary tenses are used, after the construction, either the Past Simple form (conditional sentence of the second type) or the Past Perfect form (conditional sentence of the third type) is used.

The Past Simple form is used if the comparison refers to the Present, and the Past Perfect form is used if the comparison refers to the Past. There is no comparison regarding the Future in this case. Present and Past are here - not grammatical concepts. In comparative constructions, not grammatical time is used, but the Subjunctive mood, which coincides in form with Past Simple and Past Perfect.

The present- this is a single time line for action and comparison, although the main verb can have grammatical forms not only Present, but also Past:

You behave (Present Simple) as if you were a child. - You're acting like you're a little kid. (That is, now you have a similar behavior).

He behaved (Past Simple) as though he were a child. - He acted like he was a small child. (There is no tense agreement here, since there is only one grammatical tense!)

Note

To emphasize the duration of the action, in a comparative construction it is possible to use a form similar to the Past Continuous.

He looked as though he were going to get up and leave.

I felt as if I were making the biggest mistake in my life.

Past- the action in the comparative construction is performed earlier than the action expressed by grammatical tense.

She is smiling (Present Continuous) as though she had remembered something funny. She smiles as if she remembered something funny. (That is, she first remembered something (past tense), and only then she began to smile).

She was crying (Past Continuous) as if something terrible happened. She was crying as if something terrible had happened. (Has happened before and caused her to cry.)

Note

If the particle LIKE is used for comparison (like / like), then the subjunctive mood is not used.

In this costume you look like an old man.

In this costume you look as if you were an old man.

turnover but for(if not) allows you to significantly reduce the size of the conditional sentence (of the second and third types), without changing the meaning of what was said. This turnover, as it were, replaces the conditional part of the sentence. In the main part, both Would/Could/Might + infinitive and Would/Could/Might + Have (perfect infinitive) + Done can be used.

After but for either a noun (pronoun, proper name) or a gerund is used. The only condition for using but for is a clearly defined context, otherwise the meaning of what was said will be little understood by others.

But for the traffic jams I would leave home an hour later. (2nd type of conditional sentence) - If it were not for traffic jams, I would leave the house an hour later.

But for the rain we would have already gone for a walk. (3rd type of conditional sentence) - If it were not for the rain, we would have already gone for a walk.

turnover but for usually placed at the beginning of a sentence, but it can also be placed in the middle.

They would have gone bankrupt last year but for your financial help. - They would have gone bankrupt last year if not for your financial assistance.