Unit VI

If-clause (hypothesis)

Main clause

(result clause)

Use

Type 1

If +any present form (Present Simple, Present Continuous or Present Perfect)

Future /Imperative,

can, may, might, must, should+ Present Simple

Real Present

True or likely to happen in the present or the future

If we catch the 10 o’clock train, we shall (can, may, etc.) get there by lunch time.

Если мы сядем на поезд в 10 часов, мы приедем (можем приехать) туда к обеду.

If you wake up before me, give me a call.

Если вы проснетесь раньше меня, позвоните мне.

We can use should after if to express something which is possible, but not likely to happen.

If he should come earlier, tell him to wait for me.

Eсли он все же придет раньше, скажите ему подождать меня.

Type 2

If + Past Simple or Past Continuous

would/could, might+ Infinitive without to

Unreal Present

Untrue in the present; also is used to give advice

If we caught the 10 o’clock train, we would (could, might, etc.) get there by lunch time.

Если бы мы сели на поезд в 10 часов, мы бы приехали (могли бы приехать) туда к обеду.

If I knew how the device worked, I could tell you what to do.

Если бы я знал, как это устройство работает, я мог бы сказать вам, что делать.

If I were you, I would follow his advice.

На вашем месте я бы последовал его совету.

After if we normally use were instead of was in all persons in Type 2 conditionals.

Type 3

If + Past Perfect or Past Perfect Continuous

would/could/might+

have+Past Participle

Unreal Past

Imaginary situation contrary to the fact in the past; also is used to express regret or criticism

If we had caught the 10 o’clock train, we would (could, might, etc.) have got there by lunch time.

Если бы мы сели на 10-ти часовой поезд, мы бы приехали (могли бы приехать) туда к обеду.

If he had been studying hard, he could have passed the exam.

Если бы он учился хорошо, он смог бы сдать экзамен.