英語中的if條件句由兩部分組成,一個是連詞if引導的條件狀語從句,一個是表示結(jié)果的主句,if從句可置于主句之前或之后。主從句的謂語動詞的時態(tài)形式取決于說話者認為結(jié)果是否是真實的。if條件句分為零條件句、第一條件句、第二條件句和第三條件句四種,見下表(The 4 Types of Conditionals):
下面以動詞do為例分別講解if引導的四種條件狀語從句。
一、零條件句/絕對真實條件句(Zero Conditional)
零條件句,又叫絕對真實條件句,用于闡述事實。用來表達在該條件下,結(jié)果一定會如此(如規(guī)則,客觀規(guī)律、真理等)。結(jié)構(gòu)是:If+主語+do/does,主語+do/does。其從句和主句的謂語動詞通常為一般現(xiàn)在時。如:
If ice is heated,it melts.如果冰被加熱,就融化了。(表示科學理論的條件句)
If you heat water,it boils. 如果你燒水,水會開。(表示科學理論的條件句)
If the temperature drops to 0 ℃,water freezes. 如果溫度降至零攝氏度,水就會結(jié)冰。(表示科學理論的條件句)
If I am late for training,my coach gets angry. 如果我培訓遲到了,我的教練會很生氣。(表示客觀事實的條件句)
Im happy to go to the party if you come with me.如果你和我一起,我就愿意去參加晚會。(意思是你去我才去)(表示客觀事實的條件句)
In time of serious accidents,if we know some basic things about first aid,we can save lives. 在嚴重事故的時候,如果我們了解一些基本的急救常識,我們可以挽救生命.(表示客觀事實的條件句)
If I felt any doubt,I always asked my teachers. 我一有了疑惑,總要問我的老師。(表示現(xiàn)在習慣動作,其從句和主句謂語動詞為一般現(xiàn)在時;如表示過去習慣動作,其從句和主句謂語動詞為一般過去時。)
請注意,在零條件句(即絕對真實條件句)里,主句和從句都使用現(xiàn)在時態(tài),而且連詞if相當于when。
【例題】 neighbors want to get along well with each other,they have to show their tolerance.
【答案與解析】 If/When。本句可以用if也可以用when,主從句都是一般現(xiàn)在時,屬于絕對真實條件句,if從句是表示客觀事實的條件句,所以也可以用when。句意:如果鄰居間想要友好相處,他們就必須表現(xiàn)出能夠?qū)λ巳萑痰囊幻妗?/p>
【例題】 If steel is heavier than water,why are ships able to float on the sea?
【解讀】 If steel is heavier than water是一個條件狀語從句,疑問句why are ships able to float on the sea。句意:既然鐵重于水,為什么船可以浮在水面上。
二、第一條件句/相對真實條件句(First Conditional)
第一條件句又叫相對真實條件句,談?wù)搶砜赡馨l(fā)生的事情,并考慮這件事情的結(jié)果。強調(diào)偶然性或一次性的條件,也可以與絕對真實條件句同義。if從句用一般現(xiàn)在時或其他現(xiàn)在時,表示將來可能發(fā)生的事情(條件);主句用一般將來時,表示這件事情的結(jié)果。結(jié)構(gòu)是:If+主語+do/does,主語+will do。如:
I will tell him about it if he comes. 要是他來的話,我就把此事告訴他。
I will be happy to go to the party if you come with me. 如果你和我一起去的話,我就會很開心地去參加晚會。(也就是說你去不去,我都得去)
If you want to make your dream come true,the first thing you have to do is to wake up.
若要夢想實現(xiàn),先要從夢中醒來。
You will get the full mark if you study hard. 如果你努力學習,你就會得滿分。
If ice meets heat,it will melt. = If ice is heated,it melts.
【例題】 Thats why I help brighten peoples days.If you dont,whos to say that another person will?
【解讀】 “主將從現(xiàn)”是指在條件狀語從句和時間狀語從句中,如果主句是一般將來時,從句用一般現(xiàn)在時替代一般將來時。本句主句是一般將來時,if條件狀語從句用一般現(xiàn)在時代替將來。
【例題】 Peter:Unbelievable!Oh... , you dont mind,Ill stop and take a deep breath.
【答案與解析】 if 。句意:這真是難以相信,如果你不介意,我要停下了深呼吸一下。
三、第二條件句/現(xiàn)在虛擬條件句(Second Conditional)
第二條件句是虛擬條件句的一種,即現(xiàn)在虛擬條件句(Unreal Present),用來表達在現(xiàn)在或?qū)頃r間下不太可能或不可能發(fā)生的條件,這種條件句還可以用來表示試探性的、委婉的語氣(可以理解為不大有自信,所以不太真實的條件)。結(jié)構(gòu)是:①與將來事實相反的非真實條件句是If+主語+should do/were to do/did,主語+would/should/could/might do;②與現(xiàn)在事實相反的非真實條件句是If+主語+did,主語+would/should/could/might+do。如:
If I should have/were to have / had enough money next month,I would buy a copy of “The Advanced Learners Dictionary of Current English”。如果我下個月有足夠的錢,我就會買一本《現(xiàn)代高級英語學習詞典》。
If I didnt suffer from a fear of flying,I would travel more. 我要不是暈機的話,我會多出行的。(現(xiàn)在實際情況是由于暈機出行較少)
If I were you,I would ask our teacher for advice. 如果我是你的話,我就請教老師。
If I wanted you to travel to Tibet with me,would you want to go?要是我讓你跟我一起去西藏,你愿意去嗎?(問話者問的比較委婉)
【例題】 This meeting room is a non-smoking area. I would like to warn you in advance that if you smoked here you would be fined.
【解讀】 句意:這個會議室是無煙區(qū)域,我想提前警告你:如果你在這里吸煙,會被罰款?!癷f you smoked here you would be fined”是表示與將來情況相反的虛擬語氣,表示在提前警告某人。
【例題】 If you are me,would you talk to him?
【答案與解析】 are—were??疾樘摂M語氣。根據(jù)句子可知,此處為虛擬語氣,與現(xiàn)在事實不相符,故把are改成were。句意:如果你是我,你會跟他談?wù)剢幔?/p>
三、第三條件句/過去虛擬條件句(Third Conditional)
第三條件句是表示與過去事實相反的虛擬語氣,是用來表達如果(If)當時那樣發(fā)生,另外一方面(當時)結(jié)果會如何。通常是指過去的事情,帶有一切已經(jīng)太遲而不能夠補救的意思。結(jié)構(gòu)是:If+主語+had done,主語+would/should/could/ might+have done。如:
If she hadnt been ill,she would have gone to work. 當時她要不是生病就去上班了。(事實是生病了而沒有去上班。)
If he hadnt been so lazy in college,he would have found a much better job when he graduated. 他要不是讀大學時候那么懶,畢業(yè)的時候就找到一份更好的工作了。
If he had studied harder in college,he would have found a much better job when he graduated. 他讀大學時候要是再努力點,畢業(yè)的時候就找到一份更好的工作了。
If the Second World War had not broken out,the Cold War might not have come to pass. 如果第二次世界大戰(zhàn)沒有發(fā)生,冷戰(zhàn)也不一定會出現(xiàn)。
【例題】 If I (not see)it with my own eyes,I wouldnthave believed it.
【答案與解析】 hadnt seen。根據(jù)后半句wouldnt have believed可以判斷是表示與過去事實相反的虛擬語氣,所以從句是if+主語+had+done的形式。句意:如果不是我親眼看到,我不會相信。
【即時演練】 翻譯填空,注意if 從句的用法。
1. (如果你把一個雞蛋丟下去),it breaks.
2. If you blow on a candle, (它就熄滅了).
3. If her mother (聽從醫(yī)生的建議),she would/might have got well earlier.
4. If I (沒有搭錯車),I wouldnt have missed the contest.
5. (如果你認為) treating a woman well means always getting her permission for things,think again.
6. (如果我是你),I would take an umbrella.
7. (如果沒有水和空氣),there would be no living things on the earth.
8. If (她下周一來這兒的話) next Monday,I would tell her about the matter.
Keys:1. If you drop an egg 2. it is out 3. had taken the doctors advice 4. hadnt taken the wrong bus 5. If you think (that) 6. If I were you 7. If there were no air or water 8. she were to be/ should be/ were there