English grammar for university students. Part 3. Учебное пособие

Zero Condition refers to all the time. Present Indefinite is used in both the principal and the subordinate conditional clause (Кобрина, Корнеева, 1999).

If I’m in a hurry I always take a taxi.

First condition refers to the future. In the principal clause the Future Indefinite is used, in the subordinate conditional clause – Present Indefinite.

If I’m in a hurry I will take a taxi.

The sentences with Second and Third Condition denote unreal actions.

Second Condition refers the unreal condition in the subordinate clause and the unreal consequence in the principal clause to the present or future. The form of past Subjunctive or past Indefinite is used in the conditional clause. The analytical form would + Indefinite Infinitive is used in the principal clause.

If I were in a hurry now, I would take a taxi.

Third Condition refers the unreal condition in the subordinate clause and the unreal consequence in the principal clause to the past. The form of past perfect is used in the conditional clause. The analytical form would + Perfect Indefinite Infinitive is used in the principal clause.

If I had been in a hurry yesterday, I would have taken a taxi.

The actions in the main and subordinate clauses may have different timereference, if the sense of the clauses requires it. Sentences of this kind are said to have split condition. The unreal condition may refer to the past and the consequence - to the present or future, or vice versa. Such types are called mixed.

If we hadn't been such fools we would all still be together.

If he weren’t so absent-minded, he wouldn’t have lost his umbrella. She wouldn't have told me her story if she disliked me.

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Since the majority of conditional clauses are introduced by if they are often called if-clauses. Other conjunctions used to introduce conditional clauses are unless, in case, supposing (that), suppose (that), providing (that), provided (that), on condition (that). Each of them expresses a conditional relation with a certain shade of meaning, and their use is restricted either for semantic or stylistic reasons (Кобрина, Корнеева, 1999).

Unless

After these conjunctions we use the Present Simple to ask about an imaginary situation in the future that we think is likely, or if we want to suggest that it is:

What if we miss the train?

We use the Past Simple or the Past Continuous to ask questions about an imaginary situation in the present or future and its possible results:

What if he asked you to marry him, what would you say? (= If he asked you to marry him …). Say he was stealing from petty cash, would you report him?

We use the Past Simple to make suggestions:

Suppose we took an early train.

The use the Past Perfect to talk about an imaginary past situation and its results:

Imagine your parents had refused, how would you have felt? (= If your parents had refused)

We use in case to imagine a future situation. It is not the same as if. Compare:

Let’s take our swimming things in case there’s a pool at the hotel. (We don’t know if there’s a pool, but we’ll take our swimming things anyway)

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Let’s take our swimming things if there’s a pool at the hotel. (We’ll only take our swimming things if there’s a pool at the hotel)

If... not and unless are sometimes interchangeable:

If you don't / Unless you change your mind, I won't be able to help you.

However, unless is stronger than if...not and is sometimes preferable:

Unless the board of directors improve their offer, there will be a strike.

Moreover, unless cannot replace if...not in certain sentences:

I'll be surprised if he doesn't win.

The reason is that unless always means 'except on the condition that...'.

On the other hand, if...not cannot replace unless when the latter is used to introduce an afterthought. This kind of unless-clause follows the main clause and is usually separated by a comma or a dash:

I couldn't have made it to class on time - unless, of course, I had caught an earlier train (Russ. ...разве что успела бы на более ранний поезд).

This means that the speaker did not get to class on time; she could only have done so by catching an earlier train.

There are three more types of conditional clauses with reference to the future.

1. In the first type should + infinitive for all the persons is used in the conditional clause and the future indefinite indicative or the imperative mood in the principal clause. This type is called problematic condition.

If you should come to London, try to do all the sights.

If you should come earlier, let us know.

Conditional clauses of this type are sometimes joined to the main clause asyndetically, by means of inversion.

Should he ask for help, help him.

2. In the second type would + infinitive for all the persons in the singular and plural is used in the conditional clause and should/would +Infinitive or the

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indicative mood in the principal clause. Would retains its original meaning of

willingness .

If you would only come to us place, we would be very glad.

3.In the third type the past subjunctive of the modal verb to be +

(to)Infinitive is used in the conditional clause and should/would + infinitive or the imperative mood in the principal clause. Both actions have future or present time reference.

If you were to second their proposal, the meeting would be over soon. (if by chance you seconded it).

If I were to tell you everything, you would be surprised.

The form were + to implies greater remoteness and improbability of its action (Кобрина, Корнеева, 1999).

Implied condition

An implied condition is not openly stated in a clause, but is manifested either by an adverbial part of the sentence, or else by the context – the preceding or following sentence, or coordinated clause.

1. The form should/would + infinitive is used in simple sentences with the adverbial modifier of condition introduced by but for, except for which imply an unreal condition with an opposite meaning:

But for his absent-mindedness, he wouldn’t get into trouble. (If it were not for his absent-mindedness… Were it not for his absent-mindedness…).

But for luck he would be still living alone. ( If it had not been for luck, he would be still living alone. (In fact he was lucky and he is not living alone.)

These people would long ago have been forgotten, but for the artist’s genius.

Except for the sound of his breathing, I wouldn't have known he was there.

2. A condition may be implied by the preceding or following sentence or coordinated clause:

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This was the sort of thing he would have liked to explain to someone, only no one wanted to hear. (If anyone had wanted to hear, he would have explained this sort of thing to them.)

They had no desire to spread scandal. Otherwise they would have demanded their due. (Had they had the desire to spread scandal, they would have demanded their due.)

I would have gone too, but I was tied up to Joseph. (If I had not been tied up to Joseph, I would have gone too.)

Exercises

Exercise 31. Open the brackets.

1. If I (to be) you, I would not do that. 2. If she were here, then she (speak up).

3.If you ( to be) a scientist, I think you would ask yourself the same question.

4.If he (to know) the mountains, he would go alone. 5. What (to happen) if somebody blew up that bridge? 6. If I were a millionaire, I (to buy) a sports car. 7. If he (to have) a car with him, he could drive us there.

Exercise 32. Read the following sentences. Comment on the forms of the Subjunctive Mood. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. If my shares went up 500% I’d sell them instantly. 2. If I were to accept their offer—which I’m still considering—I would have to start the new job on Monday 3. If I were a butterfly, I would have wings. 4. Were he alive, he would be proud of his son. 5. I would appreciate it if you would mail this letter for me. 6. If I were you, I would wait a bit. 7. If more money were/was spent on cancer research, a prevention would be found. 8. If my grandfather was / were still alive, he would be a hundred today. 9. If you were driving from London to Glasgow, which way would you go? 10. If I were you, I wouldn’t worry. 11. If I

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wanted to know what he thinks I’d buy his book. 12. I'd be very frightened if someone pointed a gun at me. 13. If I didn't want to go, I wouldn't. 14. I think you might breathe more easily if you kept still. 15. I’d appreciate it if you would tell me before you do anything. 16. If the work were done discreetly we could pay well. 17. I might be able to help more if someone told me what this is all about. 18. I would appreciate it if you would keep this strictly confidential. 19. If my father were alive today he would throw you out. 20. If he was here he wouldn’t say anything different.

Exercise 33. Translate the sentences from Russian into English using Second Condition, referring to the present or future.

1.Что бы вы сделали на моём месте? 2. Вы бы поехали сейчас в отпуск, если бы у вас была такая возможность? 3. Если бы он не был таким рассеянным, он бы не забывал свои вещи везде. 4. Если бы он опоздал, то он бы извинился. 5. Если вдруг на выходных пойдёт дождь, то мы не сможем поехать на пикник. 6. Если бы у меня было свободное время, я бы пошёл в бассейн. 7. Если бы Джек был выше ростом, он бы мог работать в полиции. 8. Если бы я умела готовить, как Вы, я бы открыла собственный ресторан. 9. Это платье не идёт тебе. На твоём месте, я бы его не покупала. 10. Если бы я был миллионером, у меня была бы яхта. 11. Суп был бы вкуснее, если бы не был таким солёным. 12. Если бы Лиз не засиживалась допоздна, она бы не была постоянно уставшей.

Exercise 34. Read the following sentences. Comment on the forms of the Subjunctive Mood. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1.If I had brought a dictionary I’d have done the translation better. 2. If I had been in her place, I m i g h t have done the same. 3. If I had worked hard last year I wouldn’t have failed the exam. 4. If you had helped me I would have done the work in time. 5. She would have answered if tears h a d n ' t b e e n

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running down her face. 6. We could have got lost if he hadn’t had the map. 7. Had he come earlier, no-one would have got angry. 8. Had he learnt the rule properly, he wouldn’t have got a bad mark.

Exercise 35. Answer the questions.

1. What would you do if you lost your passport? 2. What would you be doing if you were at the seaside? 3. What would you be doing if you were in the library? 4. What would you be doing if you were in the kitchen? 5. What university would you have chosen if you hadn’t entered SFEDU? 6. What would you do if you won a million pounds in a lottery? 7. What would you do if you saw a ghost?

Exercise 36. Second or Third Conditional? Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.

1. If you (not be) busy, we could go for a walk. 2. If I (have) enough money, I would have taken a taxi. 3. If I were you, I (buy) a new suit. 4. If I (be) interested in the film, I would have gone to the cinema. 5. If we (not take) the wrong turning, we wouldn’t have arrived late. 6. If he had more time, he (take) up tennis. 7. You could have come first if you (run) faster. 8. If she (not have) a car, we would have to go by bus. 9. What (do) if you lost your job? 10. If I (not feel) tired, I would have gone to bed later. 11. If Bruce had asked me, I (say) ‘yes’. 12. If I (not take) an umbrella, I would have got wet. 13. If he knew that it was dangerous, he (not come). 14. If someone (give) you a helicopter, what would you do with it? 15. They (not miss) the plane if they hadn’t woken up late. 16. If you (ask), I could have told you the answer. 17. I could help you with the text if I (know) Greek. 18. If only he had asked, I (help) him. 19. If I (invite) to my friend’s party, I would never dress casually. 20. If she (pass) her driving test, she would have bought a car.

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Exercise 37. Translate the sentences into English using Third Condition, referring to the past.

1. Если бы мы могли себе позволить тогда поехать в Австрию, мы бы поехали туда ещё в прошлом году. 2. Мальчик не нал о разнице между термометрами. Если бы он знал, то он бы не думал, что умирает. 3. Я не знал, что ты в больнице. Если бы я знал, я бы обязательно тебя навестил. 4. Если бы у неё тогда было больше опыта, она бы смогла быстрее успокоить шумный класс. 5. Если бы она опоздала на электричку утром, она бы не попала на собеседование и упустила бы шанс получить эту работу. 6. Он взял такси, но движение было очень плотное. Он бы добрался быстрее, если бы шёл пешком. 7. Если бы мы спросили Тома об этом вчера, он бы обязательно нам всё объяснил. 8. Мы решили не переезжать. Мы бы потеряли деньги, если бы продали дом тогда. 9. Они не был болен на прошлой неделе. Если бы он бы болен, он бы не играл в футбол. 10. Если бы вы вчера не позвонили в полицию, преступников бы до сих пор не поймали бы.

Exercise 38. Comment on the forms of mixed conditionals. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. If he weren’t so absent-minded, he wouldn’t have lost his umbrella yesterday. 2. If he had taken the medicine yesterday he would feel much better today. 3. If he hadn’t been ill last week, he wouldn’t have to catch up with the group now. 4. If it weren’t Sunday today, I would have got up much earlier. 5. If you had followed my advice then, everything would be all right now. 6. Were he more careful, he wouldn’t have fallen over. 7. Had he spoken to her yesterday he wouldn’t be so worried now.

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Exercise 39. Translate into English using different types of Conditional sentences.

1. Если бы он учил правила, у него не было бы проблем с грамматикой. 2. Если бы он выполнил домашнее задание вчера, он бы не получил плохую оценку на уроке. 3. Если бы он был более трудолюбивым, он бы написал тест лучше вчера. 4. Если бы он выучил правило вчера, то сегодня ему бы не было так стыдно. 5. На вашем месте я бы этого не делал. 6. Если бы она была здесь, она бы высказала свое мнение. 7. Она бы заметила эту ошибку, если бы была более внимательной. 8. Если бы она была более внимательной, она бы уже давно заметила бы эту ошибку. 9. Вы бы сдали экзамен, если бы прилежнее занимались. 10. Если я был бы миллионером, я бы купил спортивную машину. 11. «Давай попросим Джона отвезти нас туда» «Если бы он был на машине, он бы нас отвез». 12. Если бы мои акции взлетели на 500%, я бы немедленно их продал. 13. 14. Если бы я принял их предложение – что я еще обдумываю – мне пришлось бы приступить к работе в понедельник. 15. У него были бы серьезные неприятности, если бы меня не оказалось рядом. 16. Если бы я тогда знал то, что я знаю сейчас, я бы был богатым человеком. 17. Если бы я получил твоё сообщение в понедельник, я бы всё приготовил вчера. 18. Если бы я получил твоё сообщение в понедельник, всё бы еже было готово. 19. Я был бы вам благодарен, если бы вы отправили это письмо. 20. На вашем месте я бы немного подождал. 21. Если бы я знал, что ты был в больнице, я бы тебя навестил. 22. Если бы я приехал на 10 минут раньше, я бы застал ее дома. 23. Если бы я знал, что ты был так занят, я бы к тебе не зашел. 24. Если бы он подготовился к собеседованию, он мог бы получить работу. 25. Они бы могли найти отель получше, если бы проехали еще несколько километров. 26. Если бы Боб не был так ленив, он бы запросто сдал тот экзамен по вождению.

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Exercise 40. Translate the sentences into Russian paying attention to different conjunctions.

1. I nearly left my passport at home. Imagine you had. You wouldn’t have been able to travel. 2. Unless we thought new research was necessary, we wouldn't be spending money on it. 3. I wouldn’t go there unless I had to. 4. We wouldn't have chosen this kind of holiday unless we liked driving. 5. Suppose you were me, what would you do? 6 . Say we left at 9 a.m., we would get there by 11 a.m. Is that early enough? 7. Imagine what would have happened if they hadn’t got a receipt. 8. What if the police found out. 9. Supposing they refused to give you a visa? 10. What if we went for the last two weeks of July? The weather’s sure to be good then. Say we went for the first two weeks of the month – would that be cheaper? 11. She’s still very inexperienced. Supposing she messed something up - I’d get the blame and have to deal with the consequences afterwards. 12. Say you inherited a million dollars, how would you spend it? 13. Take an umbrella in case it rained.

Exercise 41. Translate the sentences paying attention to conditional clauses with reference to the future.

1.If you were to listen more carefully, you might understand a little more. 2. If you should meet him, give him my best regards. 3. Should he come to your place, what will you do? 4. If you were to accept it, everything would be different. 5. If you would only come agree with us, we will be really happy. 6. If you should find another way out, don’t forget to inform me about it. 7. If you were to listen more carefully, you might understand a little more. 8.Should the tickets fail to arrive, we would arrange to have duplicates waiting at the airport.9. Should I happen to leave, will you look after my dog? 10. I would be grateful to you if you would keep it in secret.

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