Conditional clauses in English. Conditional sentences

On the pages of our website we have already told you about conditional sentences and. It's time to talk about third type of conditional sentences:Conditional 3. This construction is usually studied at the level Intermediate, when students are already familiar with forms and the Past Perfect Continuous.

The conditional sentence itself consists of two parts: conditional part (if-clause or conditional clause) And main part(main clause) The third type of conditional sentence usually looks like this:

In the conditional part (after if) it is used, and in the main part would have with a verb in the third form (V3):

If we had left earlier, we would have caught a train. - If we had left earlier, we would have caught the train.

If he had studied better, he would have got a job. - If he had studied better, he would have gotten a job.

Of course, you can use negations in both parts of the conditional sentence:

If we had left earlier, we wouldn't have missed the train. - If we had left earlier, we would not have missed the train.

If he had worked better, he wouldn't have been fired. - If he had worked better, he wouldn't have been fired.

If I hadn't called you, you wouldn't have known the news. - If I hadn't called you, you wouldn't have heard the news.

Conditional 3 sentences are really long and scary. It's not clear why you can't just use ? To answer this question, let's look at the values ​​of Conditional 3.

Conditional sentences the third type is transmitted an imaginary, impossible situation in the past. It happens that you would like to change something in the past, to act differently, but time has already passed and changes are impossible. Or, on the contrary, everything happened successfully, and you talk about what would have happened if the conditions had been different. It is for these purposes that they exist .

Let's look at the basic values Conditional 3 .

1. An imaginary situation in the past; alternative reality situation:

If I had bought that watch yesterday, I would have spent all my money. - If I had bought that watch yesterday, I would have spent all my money. (But I didn’t buy them, so I have the money)

If we hadn't known Alex, we would have believed him. - If we didn't know Alex, we would believe him. (But we know the deceiver Alex, so we didn't believe him.)

2. Regret about an action in the past, a desire to change the past:

If I hadn't been so rude to him, we wouldn't have discussed. “If I hadn’t been rude to him, we wouldn’t have had a fight.” (But I was rude to him and we had a fight, so I'm sorry.)

If I had told her the way, she wouldn't have got lost. - If I had told her the way, she wouldn't have gotten lost. (But I didn't tell her the way, and now I regret it.)

3. Criticism of the perfect action. When the speaker seems to say: “I know what I should have done”:

If you had set up an alarm clock, you wouldn't have been late. - If you set the alarm clock, you wouldn't be late. (But you so-and-so, didn't set the alarm clock, and were late.)

If they hadn't hesitated, they would have got control of the situation. - If they had not hesitated, they would have gained control of the situation. (But they missed the time, and therefore the speaker criticizes them.)

Let's return to the question of times. Is it necessary to use? If you use instead of the Past Perfect, you get: an unreal action in the present. Let's compare:

Conditional 2	Conditional 3
I am not cold now. If I were cold, I would wear a coat. - To menot nowCold. If I was cold, I would wear a coat.	I wasn't cold yesterday. If I had been cold, I would have worn a coat. - To meNotwasColdyesterday. If I were cold, I would wear a coat.
He doesn't know Mary. If he knew her, he would ask her out. - HeNotknowsMary. If he knew her, he would have asked her out.	He didn't know Mary. If he had known her, he would have asked her out. - HeNotknewMary. If he knew her, he would have asked her out on a date.

If you say about the past, and you want to show that the action relates not to the present, but to the past, then you only need to use Conditional 3.

Please note the abbreviations: conditional part had is abbreviated, and in basic There are two possible options: you can shorten would or have :

If I"d (had) read that book, I"d (would) have known the answer.

If I"d (had) read that book, I would"ve (have) known the answer.

IN colloquial speech Abbreviations are commonly used, so be careful.

Instead of would others can be used modal verbs: could, might or should. The choice of verb depends on what you want to express.

Could- opportunity in the past:

If he hadn't been drunk, he could have driven a car. - If he hadn't been drunk, he could have driven a car.

If we had been friends with them, we could have asked for help. - If we were friends with them, we could ask for help.

Might- probability in the past:

If he hadn't dropped out, he might have become a scientist. - If he hadn't dropped out, he might have become a scientist.

If she had said "Yes", we might have been a nice couple. - If she had said yes, we could have been a beautiful couple.

Should- expression of recommendation:

If you had known about their plan, you should have told me. “If you knew about their plans, you should have told me.”

If she had helped us, we should have thanked her. - If she helped us, we should thank her.

For expressions of criticism in English there is a separate construction should have done, you can learn more about it from this.

To express criticism about actions taken, conditional part use If I had been you or If I had been in your position:

If I had been you, I would have told the truth. - If I were you, I would tell the truth.

If I had been in your position, I would have accepted the job offer. - If I were you, I would accept the job offer.

Compare with the construction If I were you, which expresses a real action. You can read more about it in.

Can be used instead Past Perfect Continuous when you need to pass a long action:

If I hadn't been wearing a hat, I would have got a sunstroke. - If I hadn't been wearing a hat, I would have gotten a sunstroke.

If we hadn't been friends for years, we wouldn't have understood each other. - If we had not been friends for many years, we would not have understood each other.

So, Conditional 3 denotes imagining an action in the past, an impossible action in the past, regret about the past, or criticism of an action performed. Formed Conditional 3 in the following way:

We really hope that this article helped you understand and learn how to use conditional sentences of the third type. We wish you continued success in learning English!

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Conditional sentences in English are one of the most difficult and confusing topics. In this article we will try to untangle it and sort it out.
Analysis of 4 types of conditional sentences:
- zero conditional (conditional sentences of zero type)
- first conditional (conditional sentences of the first type)
- second conditional (conditional sentences of the second type)
- third conditional (conditional sentences of the third type)

Conditional sentences in English (Conditionals /if-clauses)

Conditional sentences are always complex sentences, which consist of 2 parts:
1) Main sentence
2) subordinate clause (starts with if)

In essence, the part with IF sets the conditions for performing the actions described in the main part.

General scheme:
If... then... - for real situations
If..., then...would - for unrealistic situations.

A conditional sentence usually begins with a conjunction if (if) orwhen (when). There are also while (while), before (before), after (after), as soon as (as soon as), until (till) (until.. the moment).

An IF clause can appear at the beginning or in the middle. If IF is in the middle, then it is preceded by a comma.

Conditional sentence type 0 (Zero conditionals)

If I am at home, I always watch TV.
If I'm at home, I always watch TV.

If I am at home - subordinate clause. Verb am – Present simple
I watch TV - main part. Verb watch - Present simple

Tense: Tied to the present time, describe habitual actions. Real situation.

Conditional sentence type 1 (First conditionals)

If I am at home tomorrow, I will watch TV.
If I'm at home tomorrow, I'll watch TV.

If I am at home tomorrow – subordinate clause. Verb am - Present simple, meaning of the future
I will watch TV is the main part. Verb will watch – Future Simple

Tense: Tied to the future tense. Real situation.

Type 1 conditionals talk about the future, but use present in the conditional part. WITH The words will and future tense are never used in an if clause, but are used in the main clause.

Conditional sentence type 2 (Second conditionals)

If I were at home, I would watch TV.
If I were at home, I would watch TV.

If I were at home - subordinate clause. Verb were - Past simple, present meaning: “If I were at home now”
I would watch TV - the main part. Verb would watch – Future-in-the-Past, i.e. bunch
would + infinitive.

Conditional sentences of the second type are used to describe unrealistic, unlikely or impossible situations in the present (future). When translated into Russian, they contain the particle “would”, i.e. if is translated - “If…”

Tense: Linked to present/future tense. Unreal situation.

Conditional sentences of the second type, although they contain verbs in the past, are connected in meaning to the present.

Conditional sentence type 3 (Third conditionals)

If I had been at home yesterday, I would have watched TV.
If I had been at home yesterday, I would have watched TV.

If I had been at home yesterday - subordinate clause. Verb had been – Past Perfect, an action that did not happen in the past
I would have watched TV - the main part. Verb would have watched – connective would +perfectinfinitive.

Time: Linked to the past. Unreal situation.

Conditional 3 types usually express regrets about the past or situations that were impossible in the past.

Conditional sentences of types 2 and 3 are translated into Russian in the same way. But 2 expresses regret about the present, and 3 expresses regret about the past.

Watch additional video lessons

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

Conditional Sentence Type	Use	Verb tense in an if clause	Verb tense in the main clause
Null type	Common Truths	Simple present tense	Simple present tense
Conditional sentences of the 1st type	Possible condition and probable outcome	Simple present tense	Simple future tense
Conditional sentences of the 2nd type	Hypothetical condition and possible outcome	Simple past tense	Present conditional or present continuous conditional
Conditional sentences of the 3rd type	An unreal condition in the past and its possible result in the past
Conditional sentences mixed type	An unreal condition in the past and its possible result in the present	Past perfect tense	Conditional perfect tense

Null condition type

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

1st type of condition

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

2nd type of condition

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

Do you ever find yourself regretting events that have already happened? Or, on the contrary, are you glad that everything turned out exactly this way and not otherwise?

In Russian, when we talk about this, we use the word “if”:

“If he had woken up on time, he would not have missed the plane. She wouldn’t have come with us if she hadn’t finished all the work yesterday.”

In English, when we talk about past events that could have happened under certain conditions, we use type 3 conditionals.

It is not difficult to understand and learn to construct such sentences. In this article I will teach you this.

From the article you will learn:

• When we use conditional sentences of the third type
• Rules and schemes for the formation of affirmative sentences

When are type 3 conditionals used in English?

If you don’t know how conditional sentences of types 1 and 2 are formed, then be sure to look at these articles first:

Conditional sentences of the third type (Third Conditionals)- express unrealistic situations that might or might not have happened in the past under certain conditions.

Most often, such sentences are used when we:

• We regret something and would like to change our actions in the past (but since the events have already happened, we cannot do this)

• We talk about past actions, imagine alternative options (such sentences may not express regret, but, on the contrary, joy that everything happened this way)
• We criticize someone's actions in the past

Let's look at examples:

If he had taken classes, he would not have been expelled from the university (but he did not do this, so he was expelled).

They wouldn't have met if she hadn't gone to that party (but she went, so they know each other now).

She would have gotten that job if she knew English (but she didn't, so she didn't get it).

As you can see, all these actions are unreal because they have already happened in the past.

At the moment, we can only think about how events would have unfolded if the person had acted differently.

Attention: Confused about English rules? Find out in Moscow how easy it is to understand English grammar.

How do conditional sentences of type 3 differ from conditional sentences of type 2?

Very often these sentences are confused, since in both cases we are talking about unreal events. In addition, they are very similar or identically translated into Russian.

Let's see how to distinguish them.

Conditional sentences of the second type

Using them we are talking about imaginary situations present or future . That is, the events we are talking about are unlikely or unrealistic.

For example:

If he won the lottery, he would buy a car.

(We are talking about the future, he now has a ticket, and he dreams of winning. But the fact that he will win it is unlikely, almost unreal).

Conditional sentences of the third type

Using them we say about situations in past . The events we are talking about are completely unreal, because we cannot change the past.

For example:

If he had won the lottery, he would have bought a car.
If he won the lottery, he would buy a car.

(He bought a ticket in the past, but didn't win anything. There's no way to change that.)

Now let's see how to construct such sentences in English.

Rules for the formation of conditional sentences of the 3rd type in English

Conditional sentences consist of 2 parts:

1. The main part is an action that could have happened in the past.

2. Condition - events in the past under which the action in the main part would have been possible.

Conditional sentences can begin with either a main clause or a condition.

Let's look at how each of these parts is formed.

Main part of the sentence

The main part contains an unreal action that could have happened in the past, but did not happen.

This part is formed using:

• would (also could, should, might)

That is, the diagram of this part will be as follows:

Actor + would + have + action in 3rd form

For example:

She would have won this competition….
She would have won these competitions...

I could have passed the exam….
I could pass this exam...

Conditional part of a sentence

This part contains a condition, upon the occurrence of which the events in the main part would occur.

In this part we use the Past Perfect tense, which is formed using:

• auxiliary verb had
• 3rd form Not correct verb or a regular verb ending in -ed

The conditional part always begins with the word if - “if”.

Let's look at the diagram of this part:

For example:

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

If they had bought the flat….
If they bought this apartment...

What do type 3 conditional sentences look like?

Now let's connect the two parts. We will get the following diagram:

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

For example:

She would have succeeded if she had heard his advice.
She would have succeeded if she had listened to his advice.

I would have forgiven him if he had told me the truth.
I would forgive him if he told the truth.

We can swap the two parts, putting the condition first. Education rules will remain the same. Only a comma will be added to separate the two parts of the sentence.

The outline of such a proposal:

If + actor + had + action in 3rd form , actor + would + have + action in 3rd form

If you had asked me, I would have helped you.
If you asked me, I would help you.

If he had known her phone number, he would have called her.
If he knew her phone number, he would call her.

Negation in conditional sentences of the third type in English

In such sentences we can use negation:

• In the main part
• In the conditional part
• In both parts

Let's look at these cases separately.

Negation in the main part

In this case, we say that an action in the past would not have happened if certain events had occurred.

To make a negation in the main clause, we put not after would.

We can shorten: would + not = wouldn’t

The outline of such a proposal:

Actor + wouldn’t + have + action in 3rd form + if + actor + had + action in 3rd form

They wouldn't have been late if they had taken a taxi.
They wouldn't be late if they took a taxi.

She wouldn't have worked in the café if she had graduated from the university.
She wouldn't have worked in this cafe if she had graduated from university.

Negation in the conditional part

In this case, we say that an action in the past would have happened if certain events had not occurred.

To make the conditional part negative, we put not after had.

Abbreviation: had + not = hadn't

The outline of such a proposal:

If + actor + hadn’t + action in 3rd form, actor + would + have + action in 3rd form

If she hadn't made a mistake, we would have won.
If she hadn't made a mistake, we would have won.

If they hadn't helped us, we would have failed our exams.
If they had not helped us, we would have failed our exams.

Negation in both parts

In this case, we say that an action in the past would not have happened if certain events had not occurred.

The outline of such a proposal:

Actor + wouldn’t + have + action in 3rd form + if + actor + hadn’t + action in 3rd form

She wouldn't have been late if she hadn't missed a bus.
She wouldn't have been late if she hadn't missed the bus.

We wouldn't have met each other if we hadn't gone to that party.
We wouldn't have met each other if we hadn't gone to that party.

Question with conditional sentence type 3 in English

We can ask a question and find out whether something would happen if certain conditions were or were not met.

It should be remembered that in such sentences the question is asked only to the main part. To do this, you need to put would first in the sentence.

The outline of such a proposal:

Would + actor + have + action in 3rd form + if + actor + had + action in 3rd form?

Would she have got this job if she had known English?
Would she have gotten this position if she knew English?

Would they have helped if they had been with us?
Would they help if they were with us?

So, we've sorted out the theory. Now practice making such sentences yourself.

Reinforcement task

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

1. He would not have made this mistake if he had more time.
2. She would have come if she hadn’t missed the train.
3. If he had told me about the meeting, I would have come.
4. Would she move if they got married?
5. If we had listened to you, we would have been home.

Conditional sentences in English are also called " IF-sentences " A conditional sentence consists of two parts, the first of which (subordinate clause) begins with the word “ if - if " and contains a condition, and the second (main) part contains words such as will, can, may, might, could, would and expresses an action that can or might take place.

Before we get into the types of conditional sentences, remember one rule: “ No future after” - this means that the future tense is never used in a subordinate clause that begins with the word if.

There are four main types of conditional sentences.

Null condition

If + present tense + present tense. This means that both the main and subordinate clauses are in the present tense. " If you heat chocolate it melts" In this type of sentence If can be replaced by when, and here it is rather not a condition that is contained, but pattern, which is why this type is called a “null condition”.

First type of conditional sentences

Following this scheme, we should use present time in a subordinate clause after if, A main offer will be expressed in the future tense formed using words will, may, can . This condition is absolutely real and feasible.

• If I have free time I’ll visit you.
• If she helps me I’ll manage to do this work.
• If it is hot you can switch the air conditioning on

As can be seen from the examples, in the Russian sentence both parts are in the future tense. In English, only the main clause is in the future tense; in the subordinate clause, the future tense is not used after if.

Second type of conditional sentences

This type of conditional sentence is used to express a semi-real action that has limited time to complete. Subordinate clause, following if, is expressed in the past time, A in the main clause used particle "would". The second type of conditional sentence is often used when we're talking about about hypotheses, imaginary events - what would happen or could happen if this condition were met - If... then... . For example, " If he invited me to a restaurant today, I would go with him" Before us is an action that may or may not be feasible, i.e. semi-real condition – If he invited me to the restaurant today I would go.

• If he lent me money I would buy new furniture.
• Jane likes life in the countryside. She wouldn't be happy if she lived in the city - Jane likes living in the country. She wouldn't be happy if she lived in the city
• This room would look nicer if you hung some curtains.
• If there weren't so much traffic, we could arrive in time.

The second type of conditional sentences is also used to express:

• It's cold. If I were you I would put on the coat – It’s cold. If I were you, I'd wear a coat.

Third type of conditional sentences

This last, third type of conditional sentence expresses a completely unrealistic action that could have been performed in the past. " If I studied hard, I would pass the exam» (but I didn’t study and failed, now I regret it) –If I had studied much I would have passed the exam.

• If I had money on me yesterday I would have bought that jacket.
• If we had left home earlier we would have caught the train.
• If you had been more sensible 5 years ago, you could have married a millionaire.