Conditional sentences of the first type in English. The first type of English conditional sentences Subordinate conditions of type 1 in English

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Today in this article we will look at conditional sentences in English. I would like to note that they occur as often as in Russian.

Conditional sentences- these are sentences in one part of which there is some condition, and in the other – its consequence. Both parts of such a sentence can apply to all tenses - i.e. to the present, past and future. The part of the sentence in which the condition is found is called a subordinate clause, and the part where there is a result (consequence) of this condition is called the main clause.

Types of Conditional Sentences

In this article we will look at only one of them - These are conditional sentences of type 1 (First Conditional sentences), the condition of which is real in the future tense. The first type of conditional sentences is called real, because its condition is quite feasible.

Formation of conditional sentences Conditional 1

Subordinate clause starting with the word if, can appear either at the beginning of a complex sentence (before the main clause) or at the end.

Important!

If if stands at the beginning, then a comma is placed after it.
If if stands at the end, then there is no comma before it.

Examples of Conditional I sentences

If you finish on time, we’ll go to the cinema. If you finish on time, we'll go to the cinema. We'll go to the cinema if you finish on time. We'll go to the cinema if you finish on time. If I know her telephone number, I will call her. If I find out her phone number, I'll call her. I’ll call her if I know her telephone number. I'll call her if I find out her phone number.

Using the future tense when translating conditional sentences

Important!

Despite the fact that the present tense is used in the subordinate clause, all sentences are translated into Russian using the future tense.

Examples of translating conditional sentences using the future tense

If you go with me, we'll have a good time. If you come with me, we'll have a good time. You’ll go to the cinema if you do your homework. You will go to the cinema if you do your homework. If you buy butter and milk, we'll make a cake. If you buy butter and milk, we will bake a cake. If he gets excellent marks, he will go to the university. If he gets excellent grades, he will go to university

Features of the use of verbs in conditional sentences Conditional 1

When forming conditional sentences, it is important to remember that some verbs do not form the Present Indefinite tense according to the rules. First of all, this is the verb “to be” to be, which in the present tense has the following forms: am, is, are. It is also the verb "to have" have and its forms have and has. And, of course, the modal verbs can, may, must

Examples of using conditional sentences with the verb to be, to have and modal verbs

The boss will be angry if I am late for work. The boss will be angry if I'm late. If you can't do that task in maths, I"ll help you. If you can't do the math task, I'll help you. I'll make you a sandwich if your wife has no time. I'll make you a sandwich, if your wife has no time. We won't go to the park if it rains. We won't go to the park if it rains. If you must not eat sweets or sugar, I’ll give you lots of fruit. If you don’t come in time, I won’t be able to meet you. If you don't come on time, I won't be able to meet you.

watch video on Conditions 1

Conditional clauses are used to say that an action will only be performed if a certain condition is met. For example:

If it rains, I'll take an umbrella.

If you finish the quarter without C grades, I will buy you a new computer.

I'll come early if I have time to do all the work.

How are conditional sentences constructed? It is easy to remember that a conditional sentence in English consists of two parts - the condition and the result. The condition always begins with the word if (if). And the result describes what will happen if the condition is met.

There are three types of conditional sentences in English. Each type of conditional sentence has its own word order. It is the condition, or rather the probability of the condition being met, that determines what type the sentence will be. The condition could be:

• feasible (1 type of conditional sentences)
• unlikely (type 2)
• impossible (type 3)

Sometimes there is also a zero type of conditional sentences. The null type clause contains a condition that is always satisfied. Let's take a closer look at how each of these types of conditional sentences is constructed and when it is used.

CONDITIONAL sentences of type 1. Real condition.

Type 1 conditionals in English are used to say of a prediction, prognosis, intention or warning. That is, in cases where there is a condition that will be met with a high probability and there is an action that will occur after this condition is met.

The scheme for constructing conditional sentences of type 1 is quite simple - the condition is described in the present tense Present Simple, and the result is described in the future tense Future Simple.

Let me remind you that an affirmative sentence in the Future Simple tense is constructed according to the following scheme:

Subject

will

predicate

all the rest

If you feel the need to brush up on your knowledge of English tenses, you can read more about Present Simple, Future Simple and word order in an English sentence.

Now let's move on to examples of conditional sentences of the first type:

I will have a good job if I study well.
I will find a good job if I study well.

If the weather is good, we will go for a walk in the park.
If the weather is good, we will go for a walk in the park.

If you don"t sleep, you"ll be able to work good.
If you don't sleep, you won't be able to work well.

Please note that in an English conditional sentence, the condition can appear either before or after the result, and a comma is placed between the condition and the result only in cases where the condition comes first.

CONDITIONAL sentences of type 2. An unlikely condition.

Conditional sentences of type 2 in English speak about unlikely or almost impossible event. Use a Type 2 conditional if you do not believe the event specified will happen.

In order to construct a grammatically correct English conditional sentence of type 2, you need to do the following:

1. Put the first part of the sentence (condition) in the past tense Past Simple.
2. In the second part of the sentence (result), add the verb would before the subject. The particle to is not placed after would.

For example, we have two simple sentences:

I live in New York.
I live in New York.

I go out every night.
I go for a walk every evening.

Let's make a conditional sentence of the second type from them. We put the first sentence in the Past Simple.

I lived in New York.
I lived in New York.

To the second sentence we add the verb would.

I would go out every night.

Now we combine them, add the union If and get a conditional sentence:

If I lived in New York, I would go out every night.
If I lived in New York, I would go for a walk every evening.

“If I lived in New York” is an unlikely event, so it is absolutely correct to use a conditional sentence of the second type here.

Here are a few more examples, the study of which will help deepen your knowledge:

If I were you, I would dress the warm jacket.
If I were you, I would wear a warm jacket.

If I were mayor, I would make the life in my city better.
If I were mayor, I would make life in my city better.

If I won the lottery, I would buy a new car.
If I won the lottery, I would buy a new car.

3rd type of conditional sentences. Impossible condition.

Probably every person at least once in his life wanted to change something in his past. But alas, no one can turn back time. Conditional sentences of the third type allow us to say what would have happened if we could change the past. Use type 3 conditional sentences in English to criticize a mistake you made or regret a missed opportunity.

Such sentences are formed in a rather complex way:

1. We put the first part of the sentence (condition) in the Past Perfect. Now there is no need to find out what the Past Perfect is and in what situations it is used. It is enough to know the formula by which it is formed. Roughly speaking, to get the Past Perfect Active you need to put the verb had before the predicate, and add the ending -ed to the predicate itself (for regular verbs). If an irregular verb is used as a predicate, then it is necessary to use its 3rd form, which must be taken from the dictionary.
2. In the second part of the sentence (result), we add would have before the subject, and put the subject itself in the 3rd form.

The same thing in diagram form:

You can describe it in more detail. If regular verbs are used as subjects, then the following pattern will appear:

For irregular verbs instead of ending -ed We take the third form of the verb from the dictionary.

If I had studied harder, I would have had better job.
If I studied better, I would have a better job.

If you had read the manual carefully, you wouldn’t have made these mistakes.
If you had read the instructions carefully, you would not have made these mistakes.

If You had closed a window, I wouldn’t have been ill.
If you had closed the window, I wouldn't get sick.

Conditional sentences type 0.

There are conditional sentences in which the condition is always satisfied. What are they needed for? For example, you can, in the form of a conditional sentence, say about a law of nature, a scientific fact, or a statement that is obvious to everyone:

Ice melts if the temperature is above zero.
Ice melts if the temperature is above zero.

Conditional sentences in which the condition is satisfied 100% of the time are called zero type conditional sentences. Conditional sentences of type 0 in English are formed according to a very simple scheme:

Both in the condition and as a result, the simplest of English tenses is used - the present present simple. This scheme is very similar to the structure of the corresponding conditional sentence in Russian. Therefore, conditional sentences of the zero type usually do not cause difficulties and in many grammar textbooks this type of sentence is not mentioned at all.

If a person eats a lot, he becomes fat.
If a person eats a lot, he becomes fat.

If you want to have good pay, you must have to work efficiently.
If you want to get a good salary, you must work efficiently.

Exercises to reinforce the topic

To consolidate your knowledge in practice, complete several tasks in which you need to choose the appropriate answer. After choosing the option you want, test yourself by clicking the "Show Answer" button. If any of the English words in these sentences are not familiar to you, double-click on it to see the translation.

There are several types of conditional sentences in English. In different educational materials, the number of these types can vary from three to five. We distinguish four such types. In this topic we will look at two types of conditional sentences.

Conditional sentences in English, as in Russian, are complex-subordinate sentences. But, based on the translation into Russian, English conditional sentences differ from Russian ones.

Any conditional sentence consists of two parts - conditional and main. The conditional part, as in Russian, is usually expressed using the adverb If/if.

The first type of conditional sentences is called real, because fulfilling the conditions in these proposals is entirely feasible.

Despite the Russian translation, the conditional part of the sentence is expressed only using the Present tense (usually Present Simple). And in the main part the future tense is used.

If you finish your homework, we shall go to the cinema.

In the Russian translation, both parts of the sentence will be in the future tense.

If you finish your homework, we will go to the cinema.

Besides if, words and phrases such as: when, as soon as(as soon as), before, until.

When she reads the letter, she will become nervous.
As soon as you are ready, I"ll drive you home.

The conjunction is also used in conditional sentences unless(unless / unless) which can be replaced by if + not(negation). After the union unless the predicate verb is put in the affirmative form, since the conjunction unless already contains negation.

She will forget about it unless we remind her.
She will forget about it unless we remind her.
She will forget about it if we don't remind her.

A subordinate clause that usually begins with the word if, can appear either at the beginning of a conditional sentence (before the main clause) or at the end. If it comes at the beginning, then a comma is placed after it. If it comes at the end, then a comma is not placed before it.

If you leave now, you"ll catch the train.
You"ll catch the train if you leave now.

Note

In the conditional part, in addition to the Present Simple, the following present tenses can be used: Present Continuous and Present Perfect.

If you are looking for troubles, you"ll them.

When you have finished the letter, I"ll post it.
When you finish the letter, I will send it.

The main part can use the design be going to(see the corresponding lesson), which also indicates an action in the future; but most often the Future Simple is used.

If I win in the lottery, I am going to buy a new car.

Negative and interrogative forms

The conditional part of a sentence can have a negative form according to the grammatical tense in which it is found.

If we don"t/can"t find the money, we shall call the police.

The main part of a conditional sentence can also have a negation.

When he returns home, I won't talk to him anymore.

When a conditional sentence is a question, then only the main part of the sentence has the form of a question, while the conditional part can have either a declarative or an interrogative form.

Will you believe me, will you still feed me when I am sixty-four? (The Beatles)

Will she forgive him, if he doesn't take his words back?

What will happen to us if we are loose?

Answers on questions

Since questions are asked to the main part of the sentence, the answers are formed in relation to the main part.

Will you go to the picnic next weekend if you have a chance? - Yes, I will / No, I won't.

What will she do, if she misses the train? - She will take a bus.

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Conditional sentences (Conditionals) are sentences with a conjunction if(If). Such sentences are used very often both in Russian and in English. For example:

If the weather is good, we will go to the beach.

If you studied, you would pass the exam.

These are conditional sentences, which in English are constructed according to certain patterns depending on the type of condition. Let's look at the structure of any conditional sentence in English.

A conditional sentence consists of two parts (that is, two simple clauses that together form one complex sentence).

One of the parts is subordinate clause with the conjunction if (if), containing the condition (If the weather is good...); other part - main offer, which contains the result (we will go to the beach).

In English, unlike Russian, there are several 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).

The Zero Conditional. Conditional sentences of type zero

They are used when we talk about events and phenomena that are always true and real. As a rule, we are talking about scientific facts, laws of nature, or actions we are accustomed to. If or when the condition is met, the action will occur with a 100% probability.

If + Present Simple, … Present Simple.

If you combine hydrogen and oxygen, you get water.

If she goes to Moscow, then she visits her sister.

In this case, we know for sure that if the condition is met, the action will certainly occur. If we combine hydrogen and oxygen, we get water. If she goes to Moscow, she will definitely visit her sister. In such sentences the conjunction if (if) easily replaced by when (when), while the meaning of the sentence remains the same:

When she goes to Moscow, she visits her sister. — When she goes to Moscow, she visits her sister.

Structure of conditional sentences of type zero

Conditional sentences of type zero have the following structure: in both parts of the sentence (present simple tense) is most often used. Modal verbs can also be used, for example, or.

If she goes shopping, she buys very expensive clothes. — If she goes shopping, she buys very expensive clothes. (she always does this)
If I can't fall asleep, I read. — If I can’t sleep, I read. (I always do this)

The First Conditional. Type I conditional sentences

Used to express situations that may happen in the future with a very high probability. It is realistic and quite possible that the condition will be met.

If + Present Simple, … Future Simple.

If the weather is good, we will go to the beach. / We'll go to the beach if the weather is good.

Such offers are also called real future (real future), since the probability that the condition will be met is very high. The speaker is, say, 90 percent sure that the weather will be good and they will go to the beach. But there is also a possibility (albeit small, but still there) that the weather will turn bad, and then they will not go to the beach.

Structure of conditional sentences type I

Remember that conditional sentences of type I have the following structure: in a conditional sentence with a conjunction if (if) is used (present simple tense), in the main result clause - (future simple tense). Please also note that both parts of such sentences are translated into Russian in the future tense.

She will stay in Moscow if she gets a job. — She will stay in Moscow if she gets a job.
If you buy some apples, I will make an apple pie. — If you buy apples, I will make apple pie.
If I have enough money, I will buy a new dress. — If I have enough money, I will buy a new dress.
If he comes,I will be
If he doesn't come,she will be upset. “If he doesn’t come, she’ll be upset.”

Note that the main clause may contain a question:

Will we take a taxi if it rains? — Will we take a taxi if it rains?

If it doesn't rain this afternoon, we can play tennis — If it doesn't rain this afternoon, we can play tennis.
If it rains, we should stay home. — If it rains, we should stay at home.
If it rains,I might decide to stay home. — If it rains, I might decide to stay at home.
If it rains, we are going to stay home. — If it rains, we will stay at home.
Ask him to come if he calls.- Ask him to come if he calls.

The Second Conditional. Conditional sentences type II

Type II conditional sentences refer to the present or future tense. Used to express situations that are very likely not to happen in the future. It is practically unrealistic that the condition will be met (this condition may have nothing to do with reality at all, for example, when we dream of something completely impossible).

If + Past Simple, … would + verb.

If I had enough money, I would buy a car.

If I were you, I would accept his invitation.

Such proposals are called unreal future (unreal future), since the probability that the condition will be met is extremely small. The speaker knows that he does not have money to buy a car, and most likely he will not have it in the near future, so he does not have the opportunity to buy a car, but he has the desire. But a small probability still remains. What if he receives an inheritance or wins the lottery, and then his wish will come true.

Conditional sentences of type II are also used in situations when we are talking about something that is impossible in principle: If I were you, I would accept his invitation. (If I were you, I would accept his invitation.). But I am not you, and there is no way I can become you, so the condition cannot be fulfilled. Sentences like these are often used to give advice by expressing your opinion. Or you can just dream, knowing that this is not meant to be.

Structure of conditional sentences type II

Conditional sentences of type II have the following structure: in the condition sentence (past simple tense) is used, and in the main result sentence - would + verb in initial form. Both parts are translated into Russian using the particle “by”.

If I had enough apples, I would bake an apple pie. — If I had enough apples, I would bake an apple pie.
We would come to your party if we had time. — We would come to your party if we had time.
She would call him if she had his number. “She would have called him if she had his number.”
If you studied, you would pass the exam. - If you had studied, you would have passed the exam.
What would you say if he asked are you out on a date? -What would you say if he asked you out on a date?

If I were you, I would study more. - If I were you, I would study more.
If I were Rich, I would travel all over the world. - If I were rich, I would travel all over the world.
If he were president, he would reduce taxes. “If he were president, he would cut taxes.”

The main result clause can use more than just would, but also other modal verbs in the past tense could, might, should:

If you studied, you could pass the exam. - If you studied, you could pass the exam.

The Third Conditional. Conditional sentences type III

Type III conditional sentences are in the past tense. Used to describe situations that would or would not have happened in the past under certain conditions. In this case, we are talking about the past, so we know for sure that the condition was not met.

If + Past Perfect, … would + have + III form of the verb.

If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.

If I had invited him, he would have come.

Such proposals are called unreal past (unreal past), since we are talking about the past and we know that the condition was definitely not met. The exam had already taken place, and I didn’t pass it because I didn’t study. Or two days ago he didn’t come to dinner because I didn’t invite him. And now I regret it, because he would definitely have come if he had received my invitation. But the condition was not met, so the action did not occur. All that remains is to regret or, perhaps, rejoice about what happened (most often, of course, regret), but nothing can be changed.

Structure of conditional sentences type III

Conditional sentences of type III are constructed as follows: in the condition sentence (past perfect tense) is used, in the main result sentence - would + have + Past Participle(past participle, that is, III form of the verb). Please note that instead of would modal verbs can also be used could or might.

If he hadn't been busy, they would have gone for a walk together. — If he weren’t busy, they would go for a walk together.
We wouldn't have missed the plane if we had taken a taxi. — We wouldn’t have missed the plane if we had taken a taxi.
If the weather had been hot, we could have gone to the beach. — If the weather was hot, we could go to the beach.
If I had woken up earlier, I might have had time to finish my work. — If I had woken up earlier, perhaps I would have had time to finish my work.

Note again that Type III conditionals are a kind of “missed opportunity.” We are talking about what could have been, would have been, but did not happen because the condition was not met. In this way we often express our regret about certain events.

If he comes,I will be glad. - If he comes, I will be glad.

If the main clause comes first, and then only the condition, then a comma is not placed between them:

I will be glad if he comes. - I will be glad if he comes.

How to write an if sentence in English? After all, in Russian we use them every day:

“We will have a picnic in the park if the weather is good. If she learns English, she will find a good job. If you don't hurry up, we'll miss the train."

All these sentences contain a certain condition, if fulfilled or not fulfilled, the action itself will be performed. In English such sentences are called conditional.

There are several types of such offers. In this article I will tell you about conditional sentences of the first type.

In the article you will learn:

• Rules and schemes for the formation of affirmative sentences

Rules for using the first type of conditional sentences in English

Conditional sentences of the first type (First conditional) are used when we talk about real future events. That is, if the condition is met, then the action will occur in the future.

For example:

If the weather is warm (condition), we will go for a walk (future action).

They will go to the cinema (action in the future) if they leave work early (condition).

Let's look at how to correctly construct such sentences in English.

Rules for the formation of conditional sentences of the first type in English

Conditional sentences consist of 2 parts:

• main part - an action that will happen in the future
• conditions - events that must happen

A conditional sentence can begin with either the main part or the condition.

Let's look at the formation of each of these parts.

Main part

The main part contains an action that will happen in the future. Therefore, in this part we use the Future Simple tense, which is formed using the verb will.

When constructing a sentence, we place this verb after the actor performing the action.

Also in this part, instead of will, the following words can be used:

• shall - must/should
• should - should
• would - will
• can - can
• could - could
• may - may/possibly
• might - perhaps/can

He will go to the shop, …….
He will go to the store, …….

She can open the window, ……
She can open the window......

He should lock a door, ……
He should lock the door......

Conditional part

This part of the sentence contains a certain condition, upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of which the action from the main part will occur.

In this part we use the Present Simple tense (simple present), despite the fact that we translate it into Russian into the future tense.

In this tense, we do not change the verb in any way if the actions are performed: I (I), you (you), they (they), we (we). If the actions are performed by: he (he), she (she), it (it), then we add the ending -s/-es to the verb.

The conditional part begins with the word if, which translates as “if”.

Also, instead of if, the following can be used:

• When - when
• While - while, while, during
• Before - before
• After - after
• As soon as - as soon as
• Until (till) - until, until this moment

If I work hard, ……
If I work hard,…….

If he call s me,……
If he calls me.....

If she teach es you,……
If she teaches you,…….

To avoid mistakes, remember: we don't put will after if

By combining the two parts, we get the following scheme for the formation of the first type of conditional sentences:

She will call me if she goes to the cinema.
She will call me if she goes to the cinema.

He will come if you call him.
He will come if you call him.

They will help her if she asks them.
They will help her if she asks.

We can swap the main part and the condition, but the rules for the formation of these parts will not change in any way. Only a comma is added, which now separates the two parts.

If he tries hard, he will succeed.
If he tries, he will succeed.

If they study hard, they will pass an exam.
If they study hard, they will pass the exam.

If she feels well, she will come.
If she feels good, she will come.

Conditional sentences of the first type with negation

In such sentences we can also use negation if:

• an action will happen provided that something does not happen(negation in part with condition)
  For example: I will arrive on time if I don’t get stuck in traffic.
• the action will not happen unless something happens(negation in the main part)
  For example: She won't come to the party if she works.
• the action will not happen unless something happens(negation in both parts)
  For example: They won't come unless you call them.

Let's consider each case.

Negation in the main part

To make the main part negative, we put not after will.

Most often we use the abbreviation: will + not = won’ t. The outline of such a proposal would be as follows:

They won't go to the gym if they get tired.
They won't go to the gym if they're tired.

She won't sleep, if she prepares for an exam.
She won't sleep if she studies for the exam.

Negation in part with condition

The negation in this part is formed using the auxiliary verb do/does of the Present Simple tense and the negative particle not. We use Do when we say I (I), you (you), they (they), we (we). Does when we say she (she), he (he), it (it).

Here we also use abbreviations:

do + not = don"t
does + not = doesn’t

We place them after the character.

The sentence formation scheme will be:

She will leave if you don't call her.
She will leave if you don't call her.

He will be late if he doesn't hurry.
He'll be late if he doesn't hurry up.

Negation in both parts

Negation can appear in two parts at once. The education scheme will be as follows:

As you can see, in the first part we add not to will, in the second we put don"t/doesn"t after the character.

They won't buy a new car, if they don't sell an old one.
They won't buy a new car unless they sell the old one.

She won't go abroad, if she doesn't find a job.
She won't go abroad unless she finds a job.

Now let's look at how to ask an interrogative sentence with a condition.

Question with conditional sentence of the first type in English

When we ask a question, we find out whether a person will do something under certain conditions or not.

To build a question, we only need to change the main part. To do this, we move will to the first place in the sentence.

The part that contains the condition does not need to be changed.

The outline of such a proposal:

Please note that when we ask a question, the main part always comes first.

Will we go to a park if you finish your work?
Shall we go to the park if you finish work?

Will she get a new job if she learns English?
Will she get a job if she learns English?

Since the question is asked to the main part, then:

• a short positive answer will contain yes, the agent and will.

Will he take a taxi if he misses a bus? Yes, he will.
He will take a taxi if he misses the bus. Yes, he will.

• a short negative answer will contain no, actor and won't.

Will they wait for me if I come with them? No, they won't.
Will they wait for me if I go with them? No, they won't wait.

So, in conditional sentences of the first type, the main thing to remember is that in the part with the condition (if), we do not use the future tense (will). Since this mistake is the most common one when studying this topic. To consolidate the composition of such sentences, do a consolidation task.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English:

1. If you see Tom, tell him to call me.
2. If I drink coffee, I won't sleep.
3. She will meet me if she doesn't work.
4. He will get a job if he moves.
5. They won't make a cake unless they go to the store.
6. We won't go to the cinema if she comes.

Leave your answers in the comments below the article.