3 sentences in English with translation. Sentences in English

is a combination of words that expresses a complete thought. Sentences are classified according to the structure and purpose of the statement.

English sentences for the purpose of the statement

According to the purpose of the utterance, a sentence in English can be of one of the following types:

1. Declarative sentence:

The flight has been canceled - The flight has been cancelled.

2. Imperative sentence:

Cancel the flight please – Cancel the flight, please.

3. Interrogative sentence:

Did they cancel the flight? – Did they cancel the flight?

4. Exclamatory sentence:

I missed my flight! - I was late for the flight!

English sentences by structure

The structure of a sentence can be simple or complex. If the grammatical basis (subject + predicate) is one, then the sentence is simple, if more, then it is complex. In other words, a complex sentence consists of two or more simple ones.

Simple sentence in English

A simple sentence in English includes one grammatical stem ( and ). A sentence consisting only of a subject and a predicate is called uncommon.

The sky is clear - The sky is clear.

The truck has stuck - The truck is stuck.

Common a sentence consists of a grammatical basis and minor members: , .

The sky is clear today - The sky is clear today.

The truck has stuck in the mud - The truck is stuck in the mud.

In turn, a complex thing can be complex and complex, depending on how the simple sentences included in its composition are connected.

Compound sentence in English

In a complex sentence, both parts are equivalent, one does not depend on the other (this is called a coordinating connection).

Mary loves tulips, Lizzy loves roses – Mary loves tulips, Lizzie loves roses.

Cats are cute but dogs are loyal - Cats are cute, but dogs are loyal.

They canceled the meeting and went home - They canceled the meeting and we went home.

Simple sentences within a compound sentence are connected by coordinating conjunctions, for example:

Coordinating conjunction Example Translation
And (and, a)

I joined the group and we went to the cafe.

I love cartoons and my sister hates them.

I joined the group and we went to a cafe.

I love cartoons, but my sister hates them.

But (but)

I'll try but you'll have to help me.

I'll try, you'll have to help me.

Or (or) You win or you die. You will win or (you) will perish.

Complex sentence in English

A complex sentence in English consists of two (or more) unequal simples, one of them is the main one, and the second is dependent.

Examples of complex sentences:

As you can see, the main part contains the main idea, and the subordinate part contains an explanation for it.

In a sentence, subordinate clauses can replace any member of the sentence: there are subject clauses, predicate clauses, object clauses, adverbial clauses, and modifier clauses.

For example:

He asked us what we thought of it– subordinate clause.

The problem is that I have lost her phone number– predicate clause.

The subordinate clause is attached to the main clause using subordinating conjunctions. For example:

Subordinating conjunction Example Translation
that (what)

I'm sure that she is right.

Greetings, fans of the English language. English sentences are on the agenda! If you have ever heard English spoken, you must have noticed that in English we cannot put words in a sentence in such a free order as we do when speaking Russian. There are certain rules. For each type of sentence (and there are four of them), the rules for ordering the components are different. In this article we will look at all this.

Article outline:

  • Offer. Members of the sentence.
  • Types of sentences in English.
  • Word order in English sentences.
Sentences in English

A sentence is a combination of words, according to the grammatical norms of the language, that has meaning.

A sentence is a unit of speech. Each language has its own rules for constructing these speech units. In English, the order of words in a sentence is fixed. In principle, this is why it is important to study the materials in this article.

The members of a sentence are its components that perform certain syntactic functions.

There are two types of sentence members: main and secondary.

In English, a sentence is impossible without the main members, that is, without a subject and predicate. There is no such strict rule in the Russian language.

For example: "Winter". "Cold".

In English we cannot make similar sentences with only one member. We won't say: "Winter"/"Cold"

  • It(this) - as the subject
  • Is(there is) - as a predicate

Types of sentences in English

In English there are four types of sentences according to the purpose of the statement.
Types of sentences in English

  • 1. Narrative - which imply a “story”, “narration” about something.

Declarative sentences can be of two types: positive and negative.

I visit my aunt Mary every week-end - I visit my Aunt Mary every weekend. (Positive narrative)

I don’t visit her every week-end - I don’t visit her every weekend. (Negative narrative)

  • 2. Interrogatives - sentence-question.

There are also several types of questions in English:

  • Question to the subject (Who? What? / Who? What?)

Who likes mashed potatoes? —Who likes mashed potatoes?

My granny likes mashed potatoes. - My grandmother loves mashed potatoes.

What happened to them? -What happened to them?

It was a car crash. - It was car accident.

  • General question

The answer to this type of question can be: yes or no.

Does she like such movies?

  • Special question

Uses the following auxiliary words to obtain specifically needed information:

  • What? What?;
  • When? When?;
  • Where? Where?;
  • Why? Why?;
  • Which? which? etc.

Where did you work? - Where did you work?

  • Alternative question

Such a question can be asked to any of the members of the sentence; the question itself presupposes an alternative, that is, a choice of answer; the answer is in the question itself.

Example: Are these books interesting or boring?

  • Disjunctive questions

This type of question consists of two parts. In one part there is a statement, with the usual word order, in the other there is a short general question, such as Russian: isn’t it?

You have this book, haven’t you?

They don’t like the play, do they?

  • 3. Incentive - a sentence that calls for something - encourages.

An incentive sentence usually calls for something; this incentive can come in different forms, such as advice, a request, an order, a prohibition, etc.

Don’t be stupid./ Don’t be stupid. (Prohibition)

Read this interesting story./ Read this interesting story. (Advice)

Learn by heart a poem./ Learn a poem by heart. (Order)

  • 4. Exclamatory sentences - sentences spoken at a moment of surprise, admiration, shock, etc.

These are sentences that express strong feelings and emotions.

Exclamatory sentences begin with what (pronoun - which, which) or with how (adverb - how).

What a beautiful moment it is! - What a wonderful moment!

How well he dances! - How well he dances!

Syntax: word order in English sentences

Fixed word order is one of the main characteristics of English grammar. This means that each member of the sentence has its own place. The absence of cases makes it necessary to put words in a certain order so that the meaning of what is said is clear.

Each type of sentence has a specific word order that you need to remember.

Word order in a declarative sentence:
Word order in English sentences In interrogative sentences, inversion is done; in some types of questions, auxiliary verbs (do, did) appear to construct a question.

Let's look at each type of question:

Question to the subject

General question

Special question

Auxiliary verb (ex: do, did) /if necessary/Subject, Predicate, Remaining members of the sentence

Alternative question

!!!Mandatory presence or (or)

Disjunctive questions

Word order in incentive sentences

The incentive offer allows for some deviations from the rules.

- these are sentences consisting of a condition and a consequence (result), usually connected by a conjunction if(If). In other words, conditional sentences are approximately the same as sentences with a verb in the subjunctive mood in Russian.

A conditional sentence is one of the varieties of complex sentences; accordingly, it consists of a main and subordinate part, in which the consequence and condition are expressed.

Conditional sentence = consequence + condition

For example:

If you forgive me (condition), I will never forget it (consequence). “If you forgive me, I will never forget this.”

Usually there are three types of conditional sentences, differing in the degree of probability of action. Sometimes (especially in foreign textbooks) they distinguish the zero type of conditional sentences (zero conditional).

Note: Conditional sentences are quite a complex topic, it is assumed that you already have a good knowledge of topics such as, construction.

First type of conditional sentences

Conditional sentences of the first type express real, feasible assumptions related to the future tense:

In the condition the verb is used in , in the consequence - in .

If you forgive me, I will never forget it. “If you forgive me, I will never forget this.”

If the movie is boring, we'll go home. – If the film is boring, we will go home.

If you are late again, you’ll get fired. - If you are late again, you will be fired.

The condition and consequence can change places, but the meaning does not change.

We'll go home, if the movie is boring. - We'll go home if the movie is boring.

note that in Russian we use BOTH verbs in the future tense, but in English only the verb in the main part (consequence). Often, by mistake, both parts are placed in the future tense - this is incorrect.

  • Wrong: If you will give me a lift, I will pay
  • Right: If you give me a lift, I will pay you. – If you give me a lift, I’ll pay you.

Second type of conditional sentences

Conditional sentences of the second type express unlikely or improbable propositions relating to the present or future (but not to the past) time.

In the condition, the verb is used in , as a result – + (without the particle to). Don't forget that the past tense form is formed in a special way.

Here are some examples of unlikely assumptions.

If we won the lottery, we would buy new house. – If we won the lottery, we would buy a new house.

This means that the lottery has not yet been played, the assumption refers to the future, but the speaker considers winning to be unlikely.

If we received the fuel tomorrow, we would return by Friday. – If we got fuel tomorrow, we would be back by Friday.

It's unlikely that we'll get fuel tomorrow, but if we did, we'd certainly be back in time for Friday.

Examples of incredible assumptions:

If your friend had time, he would help us. – If your friend had time, he would help us.

The assumption is incredible because the friend has no time.

If Anna knew your email, she would forward you my message. – If Anna knew your email, she would forward my message to you.

But she doesn’t know, and therefore won’t forward it.

Construction If I were you…

The second type of conditional sentences includes the common construction If I were you...(I would in your place…) This construction uses a verb in the subjunctive mood - were(the form of the subjunctive mood is the same as the plural form of the past tense were).

If I were you, I would not ask too many questions. “If I were you, I wouldn’t ask too many questions.”

If I were you, I would take an umbrella. - If I were you, I would take an umbrella.

Third type of conditional sentences

Conditional sentences of the third type express assumptions relating to the past tense, and therefore being impossible - these are those actions that could have happened, but they did not happen.

If I had made more money, I would have bought a better house. – If I had earned (but I didn’t) more money, I would have bought a better house.

If you had been smarter, you would have chosen another college. “If you were smarter, you would have chosen a different college.”

I like the example from Sidney Sheldon's novel The Doomsday Conspiracy. In one episode, a nurse nurses a wounded officer, whom the doctor has already given up on as hopeless. She believed that the man could still be saved, and he did come to his senses. Then the sister leaned towards him and whispered:

If you had died, I would have killed you. - If you died, I would kill you.

Zero type of conditional sentences (Zero Conditional)

The zero type of conditional sentences is not highlighted in all textbooks; it is more often mentioned by foreign authors. In these sentences there is actually no assumption (which may or may not come true), but there is a condition and a consequence.

Sentences of this type speak of a condition that necessarily, inevitably entails a certain consequence. “B” follows “A”, like a law of nature, a scientific pattern. Along with the conjunction if (if), the conjunction when (when) is often used in sentences of this type.

Both the condition and the consequence use a verb in the form .

If you heat water, it boils. – If you heat water, it will boil.

If you fall, you get hurt. - If you fall, it will hurt.

When you have headache, you need to see a doctor. – When you have a headache, you need to see a doctor.

Sentences of this type can also express a subjective point of view rather than an objective fact. In this case, the speaker emphasizes that he is confident in the cause-and-effect relationship between two facts.

When a guy gets married, he gets fat. – When a man gets married, he gets fat.

It is not at all necessary that a man, after getting married, will get fat, but the speaker emphasizes that from his point of view this is practically a law of nature.

General table of conditional sentences in English

Type Condition Consequence Meaning
Null type A natural consequence.

If you win

you get the prize.

you get a prize.

First type A real, possible consequence in the future.

If you win

you will get the prize.

you will receive a prize.

Second type + An unlikely or impossible consequence in the future.

If you won (at the upcoming competitions),

you would get the prize.

you would get a prize.

Third type + An unfulfilled assumption in the past.

If you had won (in past competitions),

you would have received the prize.

you would get a prize.

Conjunctions in conditional sentences

In conditional sentences, the subordinate part is most often connected to the main part using conjunctions if(if when(when), but besides them, other conjunctions are also used, for example: unless(if not), provided that, providing that, on condition that(provided that…)

Union unless often used in colloquial speech.

I'll be off work tomorrow unless someone gets sick. - I have the day off tomorrow, If nobody Not will get sick.

We'll have to call the police unless you pay for the broken items. - We'll have to call the police. If Only you Not pay for broken goods.

Unions provided that, providing that, on condition that characteristic of written speech. In spoken language, "that" is often omitted.

We can deliver the engine on Monday provided (that) we receive your order within the next two days. – We can deliver the engine on Monday provided that we receive your order within the next two days.

Video lessons and exercises on the topic “Conditional sentences in English”

The topic “Conditional sentences in English” is well covered in the Puzzle English video lessons. Here is an overview lesson on this topic:

Also on Puzzle English you can watch more detailed lessons and complete exercises on this topic.

The main difficulty of the English language for beginners is tenses. There are only 12 tenses in the English language, but due to the specifics of some tenses, confusion occurs. In this article I will tell you in detail about the tenses of the English language with an example of use.

From the article you will learn:

English tenses with examples and translation into Russian

In English, there are traditionally 12 tenses. English tenses are divided into 3 groups:

  1. Simple (Indefinite),
  2. Continuous (Progressive),
  3. Perfect.

They, in turn, in combination with the basic tense forms Present, Past and Future, form the corresponding tenses. Let's start with the group Indefinite.

Present Simple (Presen Indefinite) - Present Simple

How is it formed:

I form of the verb. This form is used in all persons and numbers, except for the third person singular: then the endings – s, -es – are added.

When to use:

1. The action occurs with a certain frequency. Used with such adverbs as always (always), rarely (rarely), often (often), usually (usually), never (ever), etc., in addition, with the word every (every day, every month, every year etc.)

She never listens to me.- She never listens to me.

I always go abroad in summer.— In the summer I always go abroad.

He goes to the theater every weekend.— He goes to the theater every weekend.

2. The effect is scientifically proven.

Water boils at 100 degrees.— Water boils at 100 degrees.

3. The sequence of actions is described.

I get up, wash my hands and face, have breakfast etc.— I get up, wash, have breakfast, etc.

Present Continuous - Present Continuous

It should be noted that some English present tenses can indicate the future.

How is it formed:

verb to be + I form of the verb + ing ending.

When used: 1. the action is happening at the moment.

I am watching TV now.- I'm watching TV now.

2. the action will take place in the near future, which is planned (!).

I am flying to New York next month.— Next month I'm flying to New York.

Present Perfect - Present Perfect

The peculiarity is that the English tenses of the Perfect group can denote the past, although they are called present.

Formation: have / has + III form of the verb.

When to use the present perfect tense:

1. the action happened today, this year, this week, etc., i.e. the period has not yet ended.

Has not written 10 books and he is just twenty!- He wrote 10 books, and he’s only twenty! (Life is going)

We have met this month.— We saw each other this month (the month has not ended)

He has met me today.- Today he met me.

2. with adverbs yet (yet), just (only), recently (recently), ever (always), never (never), already (already), etc.

I have just found out about this.- I just found out about this.

I've never been to England.- I have never been to England.

She has already done this work.- She has already done this work.

3. Action in the past affects the present state

We have gone to the forest and now he has a cold.— We went to the forest, and he caught a cold.

Past Simple - Past Simple

How to form the past simple tense:

II form of the verb, i.e. verb + ending –ed (regular verbs), or II form of an irregular verb.

When to use:

1. The presence of a time marker yesterday (yesterday), last (past, last) or other.

He visited doctor last week.— Last week he visited the doctor.

I met him when I studied at the University.— I met him when I was at university.

2. The action happened in the past without any conditions.

I knew you would come.- I knew you would come.

3. Sequence of actions.

He took the taxi, asked to stop at the Time Square, looked through the window etc.— He took a taxi, asked to stop at Time Square, looked out the window, etc.

Past Continuous - Past Continuous

How to form the past continuous tense:

Verb to be in 2nd form + verb+ ing ending.

When to use:

1. The process lasted for a long time without interruption.

For example.

He was playing the piano the whole evening.— He played the piano all evening.

2. The process was interrupted by another activity.

They came in when she was speaking by the phone.— They came in while she was talking on the phone.

Past Perfect - Past Perfect

How is it formed:

2nd form of the verb have + 3rd form of the verb.

When to use:

1. When agreeing on times.

He said that he had not noticed you.- He said he didn't notice you.

2. One action happened before the other.

Example: He had left before I could figure out something.“He left before I could understand anything.”

3. There is a temporary excuse by.

He had made his decision by summer.— By the summer he made a decision.

Future Simple - Future Simple

How is it formed:

Shall (used only with 1st person) will+I form of the verb.

When to use:

The action will take place in the future. Used with time markers tomorrow, next, or a deadline is indicated.

I will call you tomorrow.- I'll call you tomorrow.

He will visit us in 3 weeks.— He will visit us in 3 weeks.

Future Continuous - Future Continuous

How it is formed.

Auxiliary verb will/shall+be+1 verb form+ing

When used. The process continues into the future.

She will be dancing the whole day tomorrow.- Tomorrow she will dance all day.

Present Perfect Continuous - Present Perfect Continuous

How is it formed:

Have/has + been + verb+ing

When to use:

1. The action lasts from a moment in the past to a moment in the present (translated by the present)

I have been waiting for this moment all my life.“I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life.”

2. with the preposition since (s).

Their family has been owning this castle since 17th century.— Their family has owned this castle since the 17th century.

Past Perfect Continuous - Past Perfect Continuous

How is it formed:

Had + been + verb+ing

When to use:

One action is interrupted by another or is its cause.

I had been working hard the whole year, so I was exhausted. “I worked hard all year and was just exhausted.

Future Perfect Continuous - Future Perfect Continuous

English tenses such as Future Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous are used extremely rarely.

How is it formed:

Will/shall + have + been + verb+ ing

When to use:

The period of past and future is affected, the preposition of time by.

For example: I will have been working in this company for 10 years by 1st May.— By May 1, it will be 10 years that I have been working in this company.

Thus, we looked at 10 tenses of the English language (all based on 3 main ones).

Conditional sentences are complex sentences that have two parts: a condition and a result. There are 4 types of conditional sentences in English: zero (Zero Conditional), first (First Conditional), second (Second Conditional) and third (Third Conditional). All types use different tenses.

Conditionals (type 0) used to express generally accepted or scientific facts. In this type of conditional sentence, you can use when instead of if.

Type 1 conditional sentences

Conditionals (type 1) used to express real situation in present And future time.

Conditional sentences of type 2

Conditionals (type 2) are used to express an imaginary and unlikely situation in the present and future tense. In the subordinate clause with if in the 1st and 3rd person singular (I, he, she, it) the verb is used were.

Conditional sentences type 3

Conditionals (type 3) are used to express an unreal situation in the past (the situation could have happened under certain conditions in the past, but did not happen, and is therefore considered unreal).

Conditional clauses are usually introduced using if, unless (= if not), providing, provided (that), as long as until then), on condition (that), but for + -ing form/noun (if not), otherwise (otherwise), or else (otherwise), what if (what if), supposing (what if), even if (even if), only if (if only).

  • Unless she starts studying harder, she is going to fail her exams. If she Not If she starts studying more diligently, she will fail her exams.
  • Get up now or else you will miss your flight. Get up or you won't catch your flight.
  • Put your jacket on, otherwise you will get cold. Put on your jacket or you'll catch a cold.
  • They will leave on Friday supposing the weather is fine. If the weather will be fine, they are leaving on Friday.

Note

  1. If a sentence begins only with Only if, the subject and predicate of the main sentence change places: Only if she is dressed formally, will she be allowed in. Only if she is dressed formally will she be allowed through.
  2. If the offer is if stands before the main clause, the two parts of the sentence are separated by a comma: If you are feeling tired, you must rest. If you feel tired, you should rest. BUT: You must rest if you are feeling tired.
  3. In sentences with if will, would or should not used: If he stay up late, he can get into trouble. If he goes to bed late, he will be in trouble. BUT: in sentences with if will, would or should are used when it comes to a request, as well as to express irritation, doubt, uncertainty, persistence.
  4. If she should need help, ask her to call me. I doubt she'll need help, but tell her to call me. If you will stop arguing, we will find a solution. Please stop arguing and we will find a solution.
  5. If can be omitted if should (cond. 1), were (cond. 2) and had (cond. 3) stand before the subject.
  • If he should pass the exam, he will apply to university. — Should he pass the exam, he will apply to university. If he passes the exams, he will go to university.
  • If there were an election tomorrow, who would you vote for? — Were there an election tomorrow, who would you vote for? If there are elections tomorrow, who will you vote for?
  • If I had known, I would have told you. — Had I known, I would have told you. If I knew, I would tell you.

Expression of desire (Wishes)

The I wish/If only constructions are used to express desire and regret. Equivalent phrases in Russian - it would be nice, if only, if only.

Verb form

Examples

Use

I wish/if only+Past Simple/Past Continuous

I wish I was not working right now (but I am).

I wish I wasn’t working now (but I am working).

If only I were going to the concert tonight (but I am not).

It would be nice to go to a concert today (but I won’t go).

to express a desire to change the current situation

I wish/if only+Past Perfect

I wish I had studied harder (but I didn't).

If only I had studied more diligently (but I didn’t study diligently).

If only I had not been so foolish (but I was).

If only I weren't such a fool.

to express regret about something that happened or did not happen in the past

I wish/if only+subject(subject) +would+bare infinitive(infinitive without to) I wish you would not be so rude to your sister.

I wish you wouldn't be so rude to your sister.

If only you would stop arguing.

If you would stop arguing. (request)

to express the imperative mood in a polite form or the desire to change a situation or a person’s behavior

WE WISH YOU SUCCESS!