If and when exercises English exercises on subordinate conditional clauses. Non-conjunction conditional sentences

- 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 (in 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.

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So, it’s time to summarize everything you’ve learned on the topic and test in practice how well you distinguish real and unreal condition in English. Offers exercises on the topic "Conditions". These exercises belong to the intermediate level, since the most complex (mixed) condition remained behind the scenes for now. For beginners studying this topic, I recommend that you first complete

Conditionals. Exercises on all types of conditional sentences (repetition)

Exercise 1. Use the verbs given in brackets so that the sentences express the real condition.

1. If I (see) John, I'll tell him your news. 2. He (be) very pleased if it (be) really true. 3. If you (go) to town on Monday, you (meet) my brother Tom. 4. If you (need) help, my father (help) you. 5. We (have) a picnic lunch if the day (be) fine. 6. If you (ask) a policeman, he (tell) you're the way. 7. I (finish) the job tomorrow if I (can). 8. I (not/take) an umbrella if (not/rain). 9. If they (catch) the bus now, they (arrive) at half past nine. 10. He (find) the answers if he (look) in the keys. 11. If he (write) to her, she (answer) at once. 12. He (lose) weight if he (stop) eating too much. 13. If she (be) patient, I (try) to explain. 14. If we (leave) at once, we (catch) the early train. 15. If she (drink) this medicine, she (feel) much better.

Exercise 2. Open the brackets so that the sentences express: a) a real condition; b) unrealistic condition.

1. If I (know), I (tell) you. 2. If she (want) to talk, she (ring up). 3. If he (have) enough money, he (buy) a large house. 4. She (feel) lonely if Peter (go) away. 5. We (be) pleased to see you if you (arrive). 6. If we (can) come on Sunday, we (come). 7. I (understand) Mr Smith if he (speak) slowly. 8.We (not/go) by ship unless there (be) no other way.

Exercise 3. Choose the most suitable types of conditional sentences and open the brackets.

1.If it (rain), I won't go out. 2. You would learn more if you (study) sometimes. 3. If he (ask) me, I would have told him the answer. 4. You would have done well if you (take) my advice 5. I wouldn’t phone you here unless it (be) urgent. 6. She’ll catch cold, if her feet (get) wet in this weather. 7. Unless you apologize at once, I never ( speak) to you again. 8. If we (have) nothing to do, life would be boring.

Exercise 4. Make up sentences by matching the left and right columns.

1. If I go on a diet	a. we'll make a snowman.
2. If it's sunny tomorrow	b. I'll buy you some sweets.
3. If John doesn't hurry	with she'll have to take a taxi.
4. If it snows	d. I'll lose weight.
5. If there are no buses	e. he'll be late.
6. If you are a good girl	f. we'll go for a picnic.

Exercise 5. Finish offers.

1. If I had enough money….
2. If it doesn’t rain soon… .
3. I’ll stay at home if… .
4. I wouldn’t have come to the theater on time if …
5. If I left home for work earlier….
6. If I won a prize….
7. If I were a king….
8. If I told my parents the truth….
9. If I were you….
10. If I were rich….

Exercise 6.Mark the sentences that contain errors.

I.
a) What would you study when you went to college next year?
b) What will you study if you go to the college next year?

II.
a) What will you be when you grow up?
b) What will you be if you grow up?

III.
a) If she hadn’t broken the window, she wouldn’t have had to pay for it.
b) If she hasn’t broken the window, she wouldn’t have had to pay for it.

IV.
a) I wouldn’t do that if I were you.
b) I wouldn’t do that if I was you.

V.
a) My mother will blame me if she knew.
b) My mother will blame me if she knows.

Exercise 7.

1. If I see him, I (tell) him the news. 2. The table will break if you (stand) on it. 3. If he (eat) all the cakes, he will be ill. 4. If I find your book, I (let) you know. 5. The police (arrest) him if they catch him. 6. If he (read) late at night, he is sleepy in the morning. 7. If he (need) a pen, he can borrow mine. 8.Your car (be stolen) if you left it unlocked. 9. The teacher will get angry if you (make) many mistakes. 10. She will be furious if she (hear) this. 11. If you boil some water, I (make) tea 12. If you leave your bag here, it (be lost). 13. You'll miss the bus if you (not/leave) at once. 14. If you come late, they (not/let) you in.

Exercise 8. Put the verbs given in brackets into the correct form.

1. If I tell you a secret, you (promise) to keep it? 2. If I had a player typewriter, I (listen) to music. 3. If I (know) her address, I’d write a letter to her. 4. If he worked slowly, he (not/make) so many mistakes. 5. I could tell you the truth if I (know). 6. He might get fat if he (not/stop) eating much. 7. I (have) a car if I could afford it. 8. What would you do if you (get) stuck between two floors? 9. If he (know) that it was dangerous he wouldn’t come. 10. If I (win) a big money prize, I’d give up my job.

Exercise 9. Put the verbs given in brackets into the correct form.

1. If you (arrive) ten minutes earlier, you would have got a seat.
2. I shouldn't have believed it if I (not/see) it with my own eye.
3. If you had told me that beforehand, I (find) some money for you.
4. If he had asked you, you (answer)?
5. If I (have) a book, I wouldn’t have been bored.
6. If you (speak) slowly, he might have understood you.
7. I (take) a taxi if I had understood that it was too late.
8. If I (be) ready when he called, he would have taken me with him.
9. She had a headache, otherwise she (come).
10. If my mother (know) about the party, she would have baked a cake.
11. If I (try) again, I think that I would have succeeded.
12. If I were you, I (not/buy) such expensive things.
13. If I (live) in the country, I (have) a dog.
14. What do you (do) if someone gave you a million pounds?
15. If I (be) you, I (look) for another job.

But for - if not

1. But for the rain we (reach) the station on time.
2. But for the weather I (enjoy) my holidays.
3. But for the mosquitoes I (sleep) well.

Exercise 10. Combine the sentences according to the example.

Sample. I'll pass this exam. I'll go to the university. =

If I pass this exam, I’ll go to the university.

1. He can find a cheap flat. He'll stay here for two more weeks.
2. They don’t speak English, so his English doesn’t improve.
3. The baby is a girl. They'll call her Ann.
4. He doesn't work overtime. It doesn't earn much.
5. He didn't help me. I didn't do my work on time.
6. I didn’t see the signal, so I didn’t stop.
7. We didn’t visit the museum because we had no time.
8. You will come late. You need to a taxi.
9. The shop is closed. I can't buy milk for supper.

Exercise 11. Open the brackets using the verbs in the correct form.

Laura (live) in a big city. If she (live) in the country, she (have) a dog. Laura (share) a flat with three other girls. But if it (be) possible, she (live) on her own. If she (live) in the country, she (buy) a little cottage, and she (grow) her own flowers and vegetables. In town, she (travel) by underground and (go) shopping in big department stores, but she (not/like) this at all. If she (be) in the country, she (ride) her bike, and she (buy) things in the little village shop. She (love) walking and often (go) for a walk in town, but the streets are noisy. In the country, she (walk) across the fields with her dog.

Exercise 12. Translate to English

1. If you see Tom, ask him to call me. 2. I would get this job if I had a degree. 3. If I had a car, I wouldn't be late for the train. 4. If he had known that you were at home yesterday, he would have come in. 5. If I were you, I would ask her to help.

Exercise 13. Translate into English. Designate (R.C.– real condition,U.C. – unrealistic condition)

1. I will buy bread if the store is still open.
2. If I were you, I would follow my parents' advice. (follow)
3. If you make a phone call after 8 pm, it's cheaper.
4. If we arrive early, it will not be difficult to buy tickets for the concert.
5. If I had 5 thousand euros, I would go to Haiti.
6. If I didn't have to go, I'd love to chat with you.
7. You should try something new if you're bored.
8. This cake would taste better if you added more sugar.
9. If I had more friends, I would be happier.
10. If we go out for a meal, let's go to a restaurant.
11. The plant dries out if you don't water it.
12. If I don't get enough sleep at night, I fall asleep in class. (feel sleepy)

Exercises on the topic: “Conditional sentences of type 1”

1 translate

1) If I am late for work, my chief is angry.
2) A person doesn't eat meat if he/she is a vegetarian.
3) If I get up early, my father drives me to school.
4) Everything is wet if it rains.

2 translate

1. If you want a good job, you must study well.
   2) You shouldn't eat a lot if you want to lose weight.
   3) If you store coffee in the freezer, the aroma lasts longer.
   4) The dog is happy when he sees his owner

1. Find the right option

1. If it______, we won't go to the park.

a) will rain
b) rains
c) will not rain
d) doesn't rain

2. You won't pass the exam,______ you work hard.

a) if
b) when
c) unless
d) soon as

3.When we_____ ready, I’ll call you.

a) will be
b) are

4. You will pay back, as soon as you_____ a new job.

a) find
b) will find

5. I will see you when you______ in Moscow next time.

a) are
b) will be

6. What will you do when you______ out the truth?

a) will find out
b) have found out
c) find out

4 open the brackets

1. If you (to be) free, I (to come) to see you.
2. If I (to see) her, I (to be) glad.
3. If you (to be) busy, I (to leave) you alone.
4. If I (to live) in Moscow, I (to visit) the Tretyakov Gallery every year.
5. If she(to know) English, she (to try) to enter the university.
6. If mother(to buy) a cake, we (to have) a very nice tea part

Type	Subordinate clause (condition)	Main offer	Example	Translation
1 . A real condition relating to the present, future or past tense	Present Simple V/Vs	Future Simple shall/will + V	If I have money, I will buy a car. If the weather is fine, we will go for a walk.	If I have money, I will buy a car. If the weather is good, we will go for a walk.
2. An unreal or improbable condition relating to the present or future tense	Past Simple 2fV The verb to be will have a plural form	Future-in-the Past Simple would/should/could/might + V	If the weather was fine, I went for a walk. If I were a princess, I would live in a palace. If I had money, I would buy a car.	If the weather was good, we went for a walk. If I were a princess, I would live in a palace. If I had money, I would buy a car.
3. Unreal condition relating to past time	Past Perfect had + 3fV	Future-in-the Past Perfect would/should/could/might + have + 3fV	If I had had money last year, I would have bought a car.	If I had money last year, I would have bought a car.

Non-conjunction conditional sentences

If conditional (subordinate) clauses contain the verbs had, were, could, should, then a non-union connection between the main and subordinate clauses is possible. In this case, these verbs are placed before the subject, the conjunction if is omitted. This word order is called inversion.
The translation of such sentences should begin with the conjunction “if”.
E.g. Had he a dictionary, he could translate the text. – If he had a dictionary, he could translate the text.
Should he come, ask him to wait. – If he comes, ask him to wait.

Conditional sentences. Subjunctive mood after “I wish”

Type I conditional sentences
If I If I	live in the country I'll live outside the city, find my book I'll find my book	I shall I will	bath every day. swim every day. be very glad. I am glad.
Conditional sentences type II
I wish I were If I were If I were	at the camp a scientist	I should I would	have a very good time. had a good time. invent a time machine. invented a time machine.
Conditional sentences type III
I wish I had If I were If I had If I were	translated the article yesterday translated the article. learned my lesson learned a lesson	I should have I would	found out all about this discovery. would know everything about this discovery. got a good mark. I would get a good grade.

Exercise 1.
Translate the following sentences into Russian.
1. I’ll ask Tom if I see him today.
2. We would go to the party if we had time tomorrow.
3. She would pass her exam next month if she worked harder.
4. She would be happy if she met him at the party next Sunday.
5. We’ll go nowhere tomorrow if it rains.
6. If she knew his phone number, she would call him next week.
7. If J. London had not learned life from his own experience, he could not have written his great works.
8. Had the science of radio not been developed so rapidly, we should not have got such remarkable changes in the technique today.
9. Had he been a young man, he would have taken part in the expedition.
10. If you had applied this method, you would have got better results.

Exercise 2.
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form
1. The trains all (stop) … if it snowed heavily.
2. If you (go out) … in cold weather without a coat, you would catch a cold.
3. If I saw a cheap second-hand car, I (buy) ... it.
4. If you are well and exercised regularly, you (live) … 100 years.
5. You would have had stomach ache if you (eat) … too much of that cake.
6. If it (rain) ... this afternoon, I (take) ... my umbrella.
7. If you did not drive carefully, you (have) … an accident.
8. If you (study) … for a higher qualification, you (get) … a better job next year.
9. If you sent the letter by first class mail, it (get) ... there the following day.
10. If the weather is fine, we (go) for a picnic.

Exercise 3.
Complete the following sentences.
1. I’ll ask him to lend me the money (if I see him).
2. You’ll be late (if you don’t take the bus).
3. Will you help me (if I need your help)?
4. I’d lend you the money (if I had money).
5. If I had her address (I would give it to you).
6. If they had gone by car, (they would have saved time).
7. If my mother won a million pounds, (she would spend it very quickly).
8. If I had more time, (I would read more books).
9. (if I feel good), I’ll be in class tomorrow.
10. He would have come to the party last Sunday (if he had been invited).

Exercise 4.
Open the brackets using the verbs in the appropriate form.
1. If I (to have) this rare book, I should gladly lend it to you.
2. The dish would have been much more tasty if she (to be) a better cook.
3. He never (to phone) you if I hadn’t reminded him to do that.
4. Your brother (to become) much stronger if he took cold baths regularly.
5. If he (to be) more courageous, he would not be afraid.
6. If the fisherman had been less patient, he (not to catch) so much fish.
7. If you (to put) the ice-cream into the refrigerator, it would not have melted.
8. If I (to know) the result now, I would phone her immediately.
9. If you had let me know yesterday, I (to bring) you my book.
10. If it (to snow), the children will play snowballs.

Exercise 5.
Form conditional sentences.
Ex.g.: The weather is not fine and we won’t go for a walk. “If the weather is fine, we will go for a walk.”
1. He is busy and does not come. If…
2. The girl did not study well last year and received bad marks. If…
3. He broke his bicycle and so he did not go to the country. If…
4.He speaks English badly: he has no practice. If…
5. I had a bad headache yesterday, that’s why I did not come to see you. If…
6. The ship was sailing near the coast, that’s why it struck a rock. If…
7. He was not in town, therefore he was not present at our meeting. If…
8. The pavement was so slippery that I fell and hurt my leg. If…
9. The sea is rough, and we cannot sail to the island. If...
10. They made a fire, and the frightened wolves ran away. If...

Exercise 6.
Open the brackets using verbs in the appropriate subjunctive form after “I wish”.
1. The unfortunate pupil wishes he (not to forget) to learn the rule.
2. I wish I (to have) a season ticket to the Philharmonic next winter.
3. I wish I (to consult) the teacher when I first felt that mathematics was too difficult for me.
4. I love sunny weather. I wish it (to be) warm and fine all the year round.
5. I wish I (not to lend) Nick my watch: he has broken it.
6. I wish you (to send) word as soon as you arrive.
7. I wish I (not to have) to do my homework every day.
8. I wish you (to go) skiing with me yesterday: I had such a good time!
9. I wish I (to know) Spanish.
10. I wish I (not to drink) so much coffee in the evening: I could not sleep half the night.

Exercise 7
Translate into English.
1. If he had not been so short-sighted, he would have recognized me yesterday in the theater.
2. She is healthy. If she had been sick, her brother would have told me about it yesterday.
3. You would know a lot if you read this magazine regularly.
4. If I had known about this earlier, I would not be sitting at home now.
5. If my parents were rich, they would have bought me a car long ago.
6. She is very talented. It would be nice if her parents bought her a piano. If she starts playing now, she will be a distinguished musician.
7. If I knew French, I would have talked to her a long time ago.
8. If I knew German, I would read Goethe in the original.
9. If I lived close, I would come to you more often.
10. If you had not interrupted us yesterday, we would have finished the work on time.

Exercise 8.
Complete the following sentences.
1. You would know English better if...
2. I should have left Moscow yesterday if ...
3. If I were you, ...
4. If I had known that it was going to rain, ...
5. I shall go for a walk, if...
6. I should lend you my textbook if ...
7. If we had bought the tickets, ...
8. If they were here, ...
9. We should be glad if...
10. If he were younger, ...

Exercise 9.
Omit the conjunction in the following conditional sentences by making appropriate changes to the sentence.
Ex.g.: If we had gone there later, we would have seen them. “Had we gone there later, we would have seen them.”
1. If I had time, I should study French.
2. If you should find them, kindly let me know.
3. If they had called at the office yesterday, they would have found me there.
4. If I had seen him yesterday, I should have told him about it.
5. If he were here I should speak to him.
6. If he were in town, he would help us.
7. If he should come, tell him to wait.
8. If I had enough money, I would travel.
9. If I were you, I should go there immediately.
10. If I were in his place, I should refuse.