Conditional sentences are complex submissions common in colloquial and literary speech , consisting of a subordinate clause and a main part. In the subordinate clause, the condition is called, in the main, the consequence, which expresses the result of this condition. In this case, both the consequence and the condition can relate both to the present, and to the past, and to the future.
Often clauses are introduced using the if union (if). When compared with the Russian language, in English sentences the comma is placed in the compound sentence only when the subordinate clause comes before the main one.
Conditional sentences in English are divided into three types, which depends on the degree of probability that the design expresses. The type of conditional sentence to use depends solely on the addressee and his attitude to his message.
Conditional offers: first type
Sentences of this type are used when the speaker considers the events to be real, so he uses the predicates not in conditional mood, but in real. Also, the first type expresses unlikely events using should + infinitive. This shows that the speaker considers this course of events unlikely, however, it is still possible.
Thus, such conditional sentences express the absolute possibility of fulfilling the condition in the future or present. The relative clause is used in Present Indefinite, the main thing is Future Indefinite with an infinitive or a verb in an imperative mood. For example, If I see my brother, I will tell him the truth. By the way, the relative clause may be located not only before the main thing, but also after it. Proposals that relate to the future express a lesser degree of probability, and such a variation is called hypothetical mood. For example, If I should see my brother, I will tell him the truth.
Conditional offers: second type
Used to express almost unrealistic events. The speaker does not consider events in reality, but assumes what would happen if something happened. The second type expresses the unreality or extremely low probability that the condition will take place. This model is used to indicate that the conditions necessary to perform a certain action are either absent or very small. The subordinate clause is in a form that coincides with the past indefinite time, and the main one contains the would-could-might construction plus the infinitive.
In colloquial terms , the abbreviation 'd is used if the words would-could-might not be used for emotional stress. The use of were (If I were you ...) is very popular, however, it is gradually being replaced by the words was, got and others. In addition, modal verbs such as might and could could be used. For example, If I could, I would help. Sometimes an inversion takes place in subordinate clauses with were and had, and these words are omitted. For example, Were I at home, I would do the task.
Conditional offers: third type
Such proposals describe absolutely unrealistic events when nothing can be changed, and all that remains is to fantasize. Suggestions of the third type express certain unrealistic conditions that have already occurred. A missed opportunity is often reported. The relative clause has the form: - had + the third form. The main sentence contains the would-should-could + perfect infinitive construct.
A mixed type is a mixture of several major types in one sentence. For example, when a condition in the past has a consequence in the present or vice versa. For the successful use of the mixed type, it is important to navigate well in the first three.
This topic is very important and must be studied by people who want to know English at a high level. Conditional sentences are found both in fiction and in colloquial speech, therefore, for a clear understanding of English speech and the transfer of all necessary information, you need to clearly understand the difference between the types of such sentences and the main features of their construction.