Conditionals: Usage rule and types

Today we are interested in such a topic as Conditionals. The rule of formation of this type of proposal directly depends on the type of condition. We will analyze all variants of such proposals. There are several types of conditional sentences. The rules for their construction are simple, but still require careful study. Once you get into the essence of the topic, you will not have any difficulty in using the necessary forms, both in oral and in written speech.

Conditional sentences: application rules

First you need to understand what conditional sentences are. Let us recall the rules of syntax. In grammar distinguish:

• simple sentences;
• complex sentences.

Complex sentences, in turn, are divided into:

• Complex subordinate;
• Compound.

Complex structures according to the structure consist of:

• The main proposal;
• Subordinate.

The type depends on what function the subordinate performs with respect to the main clause. Such types are known:

• additional;
• Definitive;
• adverbial.

Due to the fact that the circumstances are different, there are also different subordinate clauses:

• Time;
• Places;
• Mode of action;
• causes;
• Goals;
• conditions.

So we came to the topic that interests us today, namely, "Conditional clauses." You probably noticed that all information is absolutely identical to the rules of the Russian language syntax. But from this moment the differences begin, so carefully study all the rules for their correct use. There are several types of conditions:

• null;
• first;
• second;
• the third.

All of them have their own rules of formation. We will talk about each of them separately. A common rule for everyone is the use of the if statement, which translates as "if." Sometimes there can be a union when in the meaning of "when". Also of all types of conditional sentences concerns the rule of punctuation, which says: if the subordinate is at the beginning, then it is separated from the main comma; If the main thing is ahead, there is no need to put any punctuation marks. To translate the whole sentence, it does not matter in which order the parts of a complex construction are.

Conditional sentences 0 of type

This is the very first type of Conditionals. The rule of their formation is that the present time is applied in both parts of the sentence, in spite of the fact that the future sounds in Russian.

A distinctive feature is that such sentences express certain patterns or all intelligible logical conclusions.

• If you heat water up to 90 degrees, it boils. If you heat the water to 90 degrees, it will boil (an understandable fact to everyone, no matter what the future uses in Russian).
• He gets no salary if he does not work. He will not get paid if he does not work.

Conditional sentences of type 1

The situation is different with 1 Conditional, whose rule says the following: this type of subordinate is used to express the possible course of events when some condition is met. In such constructions the following formula is used:

At the same time, it does not matter which part of the proposal begins.

• If you get a high scholarship, you will buy a new bag. If you receive a large scholarship, you will buy a new bag (a very real action, but it will only happen after the condition is met).
• We will go to the Crimea if our father has a day off. We will go to the Crimea, if the pope has a day off.
• He can visit her if she is ill. He will be able to visit her if she falls ill (modal verbs are used in a form that corresponds to a given time).

Second type (secondary conditional): rule

This type of offer is different from the previous one. Conditional 2, whose usage rule is a bit more complicated, is used to express an impracticable future. The act is unlikely, and in the Russian language is passed by the saying "If yes, if only." This is the main difference between Second conditional. The rule for the formation of such a proposal:

The peculiarity of such a construction is that the verb to be here has only one form, which is used in all numbers and faces.

• If we bought a ticket, we would go to this play. If we bought a ticket, we would go to this play.
• He would marry her if she agreed. He would have married her if she had agreed.
• If I were you I would phone her. If I were you, I would call her.

Conditional offers of type 3

There are other types of Conditionals. The rule of application of type 3 implies a certain unrealized situation in the past, that is, something that could happen, but it did not happen exactly. To express this action, the formula is used:

Sometimes it is possible to form a sentence without a preposition.

• If she had bought me a toy, I would have been played with it all through the day. If she bought me a toy, I would play with her all day.
• He would have had the bike if he had a car. He would have sold the motorcycle if his parents had given him a car.
• Had he called her, she would have come. If he called her, she would come.

Mixed type

There is another, mixed type of Conditionals. The rule for using it says the following: if you want to express a combination of different conditions from sentences of type 2 or type 3, you can apply this kind of construction. In such a sentence, one of the actions necessarily applies to the past. The formula can look different. At the ratio of the condition to the past:

• If he had finished the work in time, we would be home now. If he finished the work on time, we would be at home right now.

If the effect belongs to the past, the sentence is constructed as follows:

• If we were students, we would have done it in another way then. If we were students, then we would have done everything differently.

From the whole material it is clear that the use of conditional sentences will not cause difficulties if we carefully study the rules. Practice using them in spoken and written speech, and you will not have problems.