Sentence construction in English when. Sentences with if in English: learning to set conditions in English. Conjunctions in conditional sentences

The simplest type designs "My name is…; I am working…,; I'm coming..." are studied in the very first English lessons. But such phrases are not enough to use the language at least at an intermediate level. For an interesting conversation and successful communication with foreigners, you need to learn how to compose detailed expressions from simple sentences. We will develop this skill today by studying subordinate clauses in English and conditional constructions. Knowledge of typical combinations and the ability to use them correctly will enrich and diversify our speech.

Meaning of subordinate clauses

Subordinate clauses are dependent constructions of complex sentences that help to expand the meaning of the main sentence, expressing any signs, causes, conditions, consequences, etc. The method of attaching an additional part of an expression to the main one can be different, but most often this always happens with the help of or allied words.

Dependent clauses in English can have different semantic meanings, and refer to any member of the sentence, both main and secondary. The most numerous category of subordinate constructions is the adverbial group. It carries the meaning of time, purpose, place, reason, etc., in general, all those topics for which the circumstance is responsible. In terms of construction, most of these additional sentences coincide with similar expressions in Russian. But two representatives of the adverbial group of English subordinate clauses sometimes have a tense form that is not typical for Russian-speaking people. We'll talk about them in more detail in the next section.

Subordinate clauses in English

These additional constructions contain explanations about when and for how long the actions and events referred to in the main sentence are performed or were/will be performed. In other words, they express the time of occurrence of events. Sentences explaining time are joined to the main part using conjunctions. Most often in English speech the conjunction when is used, which is why such subordinate clauses are often called: clauses with when. But for different shades of time, other conjunctions are also widely used, for example: assoonasuntil,since,after,till,before,bythetime.

• MyparentshadgonetothetheaterbeforeI came home My parents had gone to the theater before I came home.
• Wewentforawalkintheparkafterthe snow had stopped We went for a walk in the park after the snow stopped falling.
• Myfatherhasn’ttseenhisparentssincehe moved to the Netherlands My father has not seen his parents since he moved to the Netherlands.

In the above examples, the relative tenses used in English are not very different from Russian ones. What is their catch then? It lies in the construction practical design which refers to the future tense. In Russian we will say " When I get home I will repeat this lesson" Note that both parts are in the future tense.

Other English topics: Complex subject: composition, list of verbs and cases of use

In English speech, such a construction is impossible, because the rules of grammar do not allow the use of the future tense in additional constructions. This is precisely what distinguishes subordinate clauses of time and conditions from other subordinate clauses. They will use the Present tense to indicate future events or actions ( Present Simple orPresent Perfect to indicate the completion of an action). Please note that this rule only applies to a dependent structure; the main part can stand in any form, including in the future. Let's see how it looks in practice.

Note that the English language has unique punctuation rules, according to which a subordinate clause is separated by a comma only when it appears at the beginning of a sentence.

Let’s just add a few words about conditional sentences, since they are the only constructions that behave exactly the same when forming sentences with the future tense. As the name implies, these expressions reveal various probabilities, conditions, possibilities under which the events of the main statement can or cannot be fulfilled. The conjunctions by which they can be easily recognized are: if,unless,incase.

The condition in the English language is a voluminous and complex topic, since English grammar has several types of such constructions with different rules for their use. More information about all types of conditional sentences can be found in the adjacent material.

Other English topics: Circumstance in English: definition, types and examples

As we have already said, subordinate clauses can be very different types. And here, too, there is a little English cunning hidden, since different types sentences can use the same conjunctions. For beginners learning English, such confusion sometimes puts them in an awkward position and makes them make mistakes. To avoid unpleasant situations in a conversation, you must be able to distinguish which part of the sentence the dependent construction belongs to. Let's look at why this is really important using example phrases.

As you remember, the rule about subordinate tenses states that the conjunction when in English requires the Present tense after it. But in the first sentence we used the future, is this a deliberate mistake? No. These are two completely different situations of using the conjunction: in the first case, it adds an addition construction ( doesn't know what?), and in the second situation when attaches an adverbial construction revealing the time of action ( won't know about it - when?). Let's give a couple more examples for better memorization.

• Theydon'twriteyetwhen they will arrive - They haven’t written yet (about what? - about...) when they will arrive.
• Nobodysayswhen we have to finish ourworks - Nobody says (what? – that...) when we have to submit our work.

• Iwillbehappywhen I pass thisexamverywell – I will be happy (when? – then...) when I pass this exam very well.
• Wewillhavesupperwhen guests arrive – We will have dinner (when? – then...) when the guests arrive.

This rule also applies to conditional constructions if a clause with if is used in a sentence as a complement.

This concludes the development of English subordinate clauses. We hope that you have learned the basic rules, learned to distinguish between cases of use and are ready to test your knowledge by completing exercises on the topic of subordinate clauses in English. Good luck in improving your foreign language!

1. Choose the correct version of the conjunction of time in brackets. Translate the sentences.

1. Please, call me ... (while/as soon as/till) you arrive at the station.
2. ... (Until/After/Before) going to sleep, she likes reading a book for an hour or so.
3. Don't sit down ... (until/after/while) we ask you.
4. The house became empty ... (after/before/until) they left.
5. I won't start my journey ... (when/while/until) he pays all my expenses.
6. ... (As soon as/While/Before) he was making a fire, it started raining.
7. ... (While/Till/As soon as) we get married, we'll move to another place.
8. Turn off the light ... (before/when/while) the lesson is over.
9. You should read this paper ... (before/until/while) you express your opinion.
10. We won't start our dinner ... (after/until/as soon as) Richard arrives.

2. Combine two simple sentences into one complex one, using the suggested conjunction in brackets.

For example: Don’t call your uncle. First I'll tell you. (till) – Don’t call your uncle till I tell you. (Don't call your uncle until I tell you.)

1. Tom will come in a minute. Then I will go to the chemist’s. (as soon as)
2. I will come home soon. I want to have a foam bath. (when)
3. We are moving to Miami. Then we'll invite you to our house. (after)
4. You will need my car. But first let me know. (before)
5. Alice will be picking up the berries. Sam will be cutting the grass. (while)
6. She will have finished her homework in half an hour. Then she will go for a walk. (after)
7. Dad will have repaired the van by Saturday. Then we'll travel to the lakes. (as soon as)
8. You must clean your teeth. Then you may go to bed. (until)
9. I will get my salary next week. Then I will buy a new smart phone. (when)
10. First wait for the green light on. Then you can cross the street. (before)

3. Put the verbs from brackets in the required aspectual and tense form.

For example: He ... (help) us with the housework before the party ... (start). – He will help us with the housework before the party starts. (He'll help us clean up the house before the party starts.)

1. You need to buy a present before your wife... (come).
2. I ... (drop) my keys as I was leaving the apartment.
3. As soon as you sign the contract we... (send) the payment.
4. After the princess fell asleep, she ... (have) a scary dream.
5. Robert woke up while the sun... (rise).
6. After he... (break) his arm he never... (play) volleyball again.
7. She was doing shopping while her sister ... (wash) the windows.
8. We’ll go to the beach as soon as the film... (be over).
9. Don't eat chocolate until your allergy ... (disappear).
10. Can you feed my cats when I... (go) on holiday?

Answers:

1. as soon as (Please call me as soon as you arrive at the station.)
2. Before (Before going to bed, she likes to read a book for about an hour.)
3. until (Don't sit down until we ask you to.)
4. after (The house was empty after they left.)
5. until (I will not start my journey until he has paid all my expenses.)
6. While (While he was making a fire, it started to rain.)
7. As soon as (As soon as we get married, we will move to another place.)
8. when (Turn off the lights when the lesson is finished.)
9. before (You should read this document before expressing your opinion.)
10. until (We won't start dinner until Richard arrives.)

1. As soon as Tom comes, I will go to the chemist’s. (As soon as Tom arrives, I will go to the pharmacy.)
2. When I come home I will have a foam bath. (When I get home, I'll take a bubble bath.)
3. After we move to Miami, we'll invite you to our house. (After we move to Miami, we will invite you to our home.)
4. Please, let me know before you need my car. (Let me know before you need my car.)
5. While Alice will be picking up the berries, Sam will be cutting the grass. (While Alice will pick berries, Sam will cut the grass.)
6. After she has finished her homework, she will go for a walk. (After she finishes her homework, she will go for a walk.)
7. As soon as dad has repaired the van, we’ll travel to the lakes. (As soon as Dad fixes the truck, we'll head to the lakes.)
8. You won't go to bed until you clean your teeth.
9. When I get my salary I will buy a new smart phone. (When I get my salary, I will buy a new smartphone.)
10. Don’t cross the street before you see the green light on.

We continue the theme of Future Simple.
Today we’ll talk about the most common question: is it necessary to put Will after words such as: When, As soon as, If, After, Before? If necessary, then in what cases. And when in English is Will placed after If and When?

REMEMBER: DO NOT put Will in front of the following words:

When - when,
If - if,
After - after,
Before - before,
As soon as - as soon as,
As long as - as long as,
While - bye,
Until / unless - not earlier, except
In case - in case.

Examples - when Will is not used after When, If, As soon as, Before, After

When I leave work I'll text you.
I'll text you when I get off work.

After I get home he will email you.
He will write /email/ to you when he gets home from work.

Before I leave home she will call you.
She will call you before leaving the house.

I’ll do it as soon as I get home.
I'll do it as soon as I get home.

Examples in which cases Will is used after If and When

1. When there is a certain condition of the promise:

I will be very happy if you will come to my party.
I will be happy if you come to my party.

We should finish the job early if Ted will help us.
If Tad helps us, we should finish the job early.

If you will be nice we will go to the park.
If you behave, we'll go to the park.

2. When If has the meaning: - LI -.

Do you know if Anna will go with us?
Do you know if Anna will come with us?

3. When a sentence implies an answer to the question “what?”

I’ll tell you when Mark will fly to Moscow.
I'll tell you when Mark arrives.
I'll say what? fact - when Mark arrives.

4. When time is implied:

Could you tell me when you will know the results?
Could you tell me when / what time / you will get the results?

Compare, the same sentence without will has a different meaning:

Could you tell me when you know the results?
Let me know when you get the results.

Another example, very ours, Russian.

Usually we say:
“Text me when you get home.”
Those. When you arrive, write to me that you have arrived.
In English it will sound like this: Write me when you get home.

But if you write this sentence to a foreigner with will: Write me when you will get home- “Write to me when you arrive,” he will answer you like this:
I'll get home in two hours. I'll be home in two hours.
He will not understand that you asked him to write to you that he arrived. He will understand that you are asking him: “How long will it take you to arrive home, please write.”

Now, let's consolidate the material.

Exercise 1

Put the verbs in the correct form.
Say these sentences in Russian.

1. I (go) to the dentist as soon as I (have) a toothache.
2. I (come) home when I (finish) work.
3. Your sister (be) angry when she (come) back.
4. I (stay) at home until you (call) me.
5. As soon as Tom (lose) his job, he (find) another one.

Correct answers to exercise #1

1. I’ll go to the dentist as soon as I have a toothache.
2. I'll come home when I finish work.
3. Your sister will be angry when she somes back.
4. I’ll stay at home until you call me.
5. As soon as Tom lost his job, he found another one.

1. When my tooth hurts, then I’ll go to the doctor.
2. I will go home when I finish work.
3. When your sister returns, she will be angry.
4. I will be at home until you call me.
5. When Tom lost his job, he immediately found another one.

Exercise 2

Choose the correct completion of the sentence.

1. I’ll do it as soon as ….

I will finish cleaning.
I finish cleaning.

2. I have to tidy the room before….

My mum will come.
My mum comes.

3. I… to him about it when we meet.

I will talk.
I talk.

4. I refuse to go there unless you … with me.

You will come.
You come.

5. He is going to stay in our flat while ...

We are in Moscow.
We will be in Moscow.

6. I’ll call you up after…

they repaired my telephone.
they have repaired my telephone.

7. If I ... my house, I will take a long holiday.

If I will sell.
If I sell.

8. You should read the contract carefully before you...
Will sign it.
Sign it.

9. I’ll speak to him about it when I… him.

I will see.
I see..

10. If I lose my job, I looking another one.
I will start.
I start.

Correct answers to exercise #2

1. I’ll do it as soon as I finish cleaning.
2. I have to tidy the room before my mum comes.
3. I will talk to him about it when we meet.
4. I refuse to go there unless you come with me.
5. He is going to stay in our flat while we are in Moscow.

6. I’ll call you up after they repaired my telephone.
7. If I sell my house, I will take a long holiday.
8. You should read the contract carefully before you sign it.
9. I’ll speak to him about it when I see him.
10. If I lose my job, I will start looking another one.

Exercise #3

Make up the correct sentences.

1. We'll get there. We'll send a message. (soon after)
2. I would like to finish it. It will get dark. (before)
3. We are going to have the rest. We'll be on holiday. (while)
4. He will not regret it. She'll move away. (until)
5. Can you water the flowers? We'll leave the house. (when)

6. Get in touch with him. I'm going to write to him. (as soon as)
7. Come to see me. You'll feel alone. (whenever)
8. I will find the opener. I will open the bottle. (the moment)
9. We will go to the shop. We will be walking the dog. (while)
10.I’ll have finished my lesson by noon. I'll come round. (after)

Correct answers to exercise #3

1. Soon after we get there, we will send a message.
2. I would like to finish it before it gets dark.
3. We are going to have a rest while we are on holiday.
4. He will not regret it until she moves away.
5. Can you water the flowers when we leave the house.

6. Get in touch with him as soon as I write to him.
7. Come to see me whenever you feel alone.
8. The moment I find the opener, I will open the bottle.
9. We will go to the shop while we are walking the dog.
10. After I have finished my lesson by noon, I will come round.
2. We’ll stay here till she returns.
3. Please call us when you arrive.
4. I don’t know when the party will start.
5. He'll drive you there whenever you need.

6. He will wait for you until you are back.
7. Don't worry! I’ll watch you while you are swimming in the lake.
8. Will you recognize him the moment you see him?
9. Do you know when the shop will open?
10. I’ll be with you while you are waiting for the bus.

Exercise #4

Place will in front of verbs where required.

He rent this flat as long as he lives in Moscow.
As soon as you meet Janet, you love her.
Until you are eighteen, you don't drive a car.


If Barcelona win tomorrow they will be champions.
I come tomorrow unless I have to look after the children.

Correct answers to exercise #4

He’ll rent this flat as long as he lives in Moscow.
As soon as you meet Janet, you will love her.
Until you are eighteen, you will not drive a car.
You must wait here until your father comes.
They are coming after they had dinner.
If Barcelona win tomorrow they will be champions.
I will come tomorrow unless I have to look after the children.

A comma marks off clauses at the beginning of a sentence.

Wheneverheisintown,hevisitsus – Whenever he is in town, he stops by to see us

You can keep those CDs for as long as you like – You canholdtheseCDmyself

His head had no sooner touched the pillow than he fell asleep - Before his head touched the pillow, he fell asleep

Hardly had I lit a cigarette as the wind blew it out of my hands- NotmanagedIlight upa cigarette, Howby the windherknocked outatmefromhands

Temporary agreement

Temporal clauses follow the rules of tense agreement in English. The present or future tense of the main subclause requires the present tense of the subordinate clause. The past tense of the main subclause also requires the past tense.

She takes off her shoes the moment that she gets home – Sheremovesshoes, Howonlycomes inhome

I’ll call you as soon I get to my hotel – II'll callyoustraightawayByarrivalVhotel

They’ll go home when the film is over – Theythey'll gohomeafterviewingfilm

When he calls,I'll give him the message - WhenHewill call, II'll tell youto himmessage

Turn off the lights before you leave – Beforecareextinguishlight

He took a shower after he had finished painting the room- Beautifulroom, Heacceptedshower

They had reserved a table before they went to the restaurant- BeforehikingVrestaurantTheyorderedtable

He jumped out of bed the moment he woke up – Hejumped outfrombed, Howonlyawoke

Temporary alliances

• when - when

We'llordersomepizzaswhenourfriendsgethere – We will order pizzas when our friends join us

When combined with will/would like a question word.

I'm not sure when his next book will be published- NotI know, Whenwill come outhisnextbook

• till/until – until

You must stay in the office till you finish / have finished the report– StayVoffice, ByeNotfinishreport

• bythetime - by the time

I’ll have set the table by the time you come home – II'll cover ittableToyoursreturn

• as/while - for now

We learned several interesting facts as we were listening to the lecture– While listening to the lecture, we learned several interesting facts

English Joke

Ted had a habit of dropping in at the house next door on baking day, for the woman of that house had a deft way in the making of cookies, and Ted had no hesitation in enjoying her hospitality, even to the extent of asking for cookies if they were not promptly forthcoming.

When the boy’s father learned of this, he gave Ted a lecture and a strict order never to ask for cookies at the neighbor’s kitchen. So, when a few days later the father saw his son munching a cookie as he came away from the next house, he spoke sternly:

“Have you been getting cookies again?”

“Oh, no, I didn’t beg any,” Ted answered cheerfully. “I just said, this house smells as if it was full of cookies. But what’s that to me?”

Conditional sentences of the first type, subordinate clauses of time with the conjunction when in English are presented with examples.

This topic will talk in detail about conditional sentences of the first type, as well as subordinate clauses of time with the conjunction when. In the following topics you will be able to study other types of conditional sentences in detail.

It is necessary to remember that conditional sentences of the first type describe very real, feasible assumptions.

In conditional sentences, it is necessary to strictly observe the correct use of tenses in the main and subordinate parts of the sentence.

Let's look at an example in Russian.

If you invite John, I'll call Maria.

In this sentence, “I’ll call Mary” is the main clause, and “if you invite John” is the subordinate clause.

In Russian, in such sentences, both the main and subordinate clauses are in the future tense, but in English this analogy is not observed, which is why it is important to strictly observe the correct use of the corresponding tenses in different parts of the sentence.

In English, in conditional sentences of the first type, the main clause - the consequence - is used in the future tense (The Future Indefinite Tense), while the subordinate clause
- condition - used in the present tense (The Present Indefinite Tense).

Consider the sentence shown above in English only.

If you invite John, I will call Mary.
If you invite John - Present Indefinite
I will call Mary - Future Indefinite
If you will invite John, I will call Mary is incorrect.

Study some more examples of conditional sentences of the first type.

If my brother wins the competition, I will give him a new laptop - If my brother wins the competition, I will give him a new laptop.
I will help her, if she does my homework - I will help her if she does my homework.
We will stay at home, if you come on time - We will stay at home if you come on time.
I won’t send a letter if you don’t buy an envelope - I won’t send a letter if you don’t buy an envelope.

In conditional sentences of the first type, in the main clause the verb can be used in the imperative form. Study some examples.

If you stay here, feed my dog ​​- If you stay here,
feed my dog.
Don’t forget to show her a home library, if you
invite her to a party - Don't forget to show her your home library if you invite her to a party.

The future tense is also often used in subordinate clauses in Russian. Similar sentences in English are used with various conjunctions, including when - when.
In such sentences, as with conditional sentences, it is necessary to take into account that the future tense is not used in the subordinate clause. Instead of the future tense, the present is used - Present Indefinite, that is, there is a complete analogy with conditional sentences.

Study the example in Russian.

When I write a letter, I will send it.
Both the main and subordinate clauses in this sentence are used in the future tense, but in English a different rule is followed.

Consider this sentence in English.
When I write a letter, I will send it - When I write a letter, I will send it.
When I will write a letter, I will send it is incorrect.