Sentences with implied condition

Conditionals can be implied (i.e. not directly introduced by ‘if’)

• Why didn’t you call? I would have come. (= If you had called, I would have come.)

• I would buy the book, but I have no money. Я бы купил книгу, но у меня нет денег.

• You would have enjoyed a walk in the forest. It’s a pity you couldn’t go with us.

• I would write to her, but I don’t know her address. (= If I knew her address, I would write to her.

• Why didn’t you tell me so at once? - You wouldn’t have believed me. Почему ты не сказал так мне сразу? - Ты бы мне не поверил.

• Without your help, I couldn’t have done it.

• To hear him talk, you would think he was Prime Minister. (= If you could hear him talk, you would think he was Prime Minister.)

Sentences of problematic condition

The action refers only to the future.

The action is presented as possible but very unlikely (действие представлено как возможное, но вряд ли случится). The problematic character of the action is rendered in Russian by such words and expressions as: если случайно; если окажется; если все же; если все-таки; если когда-нибудь; если вам случится; если так случится; если вдруг; если бы случилось так; случись так; если бы вдруг.

Pattern I

If + should

With ‘should’ the speaker feels that the possibility is smaller.

• If he should come, I will tell him you are ill. Если он все же придет, я скажу ему, что ты болен.

In the first pattern of Conditional Sentences (First Conditional Sentences)

should + Indefinite Infinitive is used in the subordinate clause (i.e. the analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary should for all persons) and the Future Indefinite of the Indicative Mood or the Imperative Mood in the principal clause. The Subjunctive Mood is very seldom found in the principal clause.

• If you should find another way, will you inform me? Если ты вдруг найдешь другой путь, сообщи мне, пожалуйста.

• If you should meet him, give him my best regards.

• If he should come, I’ll ask him to call you. Если все же он придет, я попрошу его позвонить вам.

• Well, Major, if you should send me to a difficult spot with this man, I would feel secure. Знаете, майор, если бы случилось так, что вы послали бы меня в опасное место с этим человеком, я бы чувствовал себя в безопасности.

Cf. (= Confer) If he calls, tell him I’ll be in an hour. (normal Type I)

If he should call, tell him I’ll be in an hour. (‘If + should’ implies that I do not expect him to call.)

Compare the sequence:

• If you see him, ... - fairly likely: neutral

• If you should see him, ... Ô

• Should you see him, ... Ô

• If you happen to see him, ... Ô

• If you should happen to see him, ... Ô

• Should you happen to see him, ... Ô

• Should you by any chance happen to see him, ... - unlikely : very tactful

‘If ... happen to’ is most common in spoken English.

• If you happen to be in our area, drop in and see us. (or If you should (happen to) be ... )

Notice that we don’t usually use this pattern in unreal conditionals which talk about impossible states or events in the if-clause:

• If the North Sea froze in winter, you could walk from London to Oslo. (not If the North Sea happened to freeze/should (happen to) freeze in winter ...)

Pattern II

If + were to

With ‘were to’ the event seems more hypothetical and the suggestion sounds more polite; we talk about imaginary future situations.

• If you were to ask me, I would help you. Если бы ты все-таки попросил меня, я бы тебе помог. Cf. If you asked me, I would help you. Если бы ты попросил меня, я бы тебе помог. (normal Type II)

• If I were to tell you everything, you would be amazed. Если бы я тебе все же рассказал всё, ты бы удивился. Cf. If I told you everything, you would be amazed. Если бы я тебе рассказал всё, ты бы удивился. (normal Type II)

• If they were to offer me the job, I might turn it down. Cf. If they offered me the job, I might turn it down. (normal Type II)

• If he were to have a chance of success, he would need to move to London.

In the second pattern of Conditional Sentences (Second Conditional Sentences)

were + to-Infinitive is used in the subordinate clause (i.e. the Past Subjunctive of the verb ‘to be’ /the form were/ + to-Infinitive of the notional verb for all persons) and the analytical subjunctive in the principal clause.

Notice that we can’t use this pattern with many verbs that describe a state, including ‘know, like, remember, understand’:

• If I knew they were honest, I’d gladly lend them the money. (not If I were to know ...)