Unit 36

If sentences (present/future)

(a) Сравните следующие примеры:

Когда Вы воображаете, мечтаете о каком-то событии

в будущем, то после if используется форма past

tense (did/was/found и т.д.). Однако, она не

означает прошедшее время:

- What would you do if you won a million pounds?

- If we didn't visit them tomorrow, they would be very angry.

- She wouldn't lend us any money if we asked her to.

(b) Would обычно не употребляется в if - части

условного предложения:

- Everyone would be very frightened if someone pointed a gun at him.

(а не `if someone would point')

- If we didn't come to her birthday party tonight, she would be angry.

(а не `if we wouldn't come')

Но иногда можно употреблять if ... would,

особенно в официальной просьбе к кому-нибудь

сделать что-то:

- I would be very grateful if you would inform me about new prices

as soon as possible. (из официального письма)

- `Shall I open the window?' `Yes, please, if you would.'

(c) В другой части предложения (не в if -части)

мы используем would/wouldn't. Would часто

укорачивается до'd, особенно в разговорном

английском:

- If you stopped drinking, you'd probably feel better.

- He wouldn't come to the party if you invited him.

Также возможно использовать could и might:

- Sally might be angry if I didn't come to her. (= perhaps she would be)

- If it stopped snowing, we could go somewhere. (= we would be able

to go out)

(d) Никогда не используйте when в предложениях,

подобных следующим (из этого урока):

- Duke would be angry if I didn't visit him. (а не `when I didn't visit')

- What would you cry if you saw a snake? (а не `when you saw')

См.также Unit 9c.

Об условных предложениях с if см.Unit 37 и Unit 38.