CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

Grammar pointMade by Nikolai Hodosevich

Conditional moodThe conditional mood is the form of the verb

used in conditional sentences to refer to a hypothetical state of affairs.

Conditional verb forms can also have temporal uses, often for expressing "future in the past" tense.

Condition sentences are often entered with

conjunction IF

Real eventsStructure: Additional clause – Present Indefinite Main clause – Future Indefinite

If I have a lot of money, I will buy a car

Если у меня будет много денег, я куплю машину

Almost unreal events*In additional and main clauses usually use

Subjunctive I and II*When you translate into Russian these

sentences, you should use conjunction БЫ* This type of unreal conditional sentence use,

when speaker wants to underline small probability of condition realization

Almost unreal eventsStructure: Additional clause – Past Simple Main clause – would/should/could/might

+ V1

If it were possible, I would do it

Если бы это было возможно, я сделал бы это

Absolutely unreal events In additional and main clauses usually use Subjunctive I and II.

When you translate these sentences into

Russian, you should use Если бы был/мог/видел и т. д.

This type of conditional sentence use, when speaker

wants to underline the missed possibility

Absolutely unreal eventsStructure: Additional clause – Past Perfect

Main clause – would/should/could/might + have III

If I had been free yesterday, I would have joined you

Если бы я был свободен вчера, я бы присоединился к тебе.

If I were youStructure If I were you/in your place/in your shoes use, when speaker wants to give an advice.

All these phrases are translated as на твоём месте

The form were can be replaced on was

If I were youIf I were you, I would go there

На твоем месте я бы пошла туда.

If he were in your place, he would do it.

Если бы он был на вашем месте, он бы сделал это.

Other examplesIf you worked hard, you would succeed. Almost unr.

eventIf I had learned English before, I could have found a

good job long ago. Absolutely unr. eventIf I had left earlier, I should have caught the train. Abs.

unr.If I see him, I will (shall) speak to him. Real eventIf I were you, I’d see a doctor. If I were youIf I saw him tonight, I might speak to him about this.

Alm.un.If you don’t take a taxi, you’ll miss your train. Real event

Conclusion