6-21. Возможные варианты в придаточной части предложений второго типа

 
В if–части предложения могут быть следующие вариации:

1. were (специальная форма сослагательного наклонения глагола be ) вместо was

If I were you, I would keep quiet.
If John were here now (but he isn't), we could play tennis.
Не wouldn't be in difficulties if he were not so foolish.
If I were asked to define my condition, l’d say bored.
If I was/were better qualified, I'd apply for the job
If I were rich, I would spend all my time travelling.
If your mother were here, I'm sure she wouldn't let you eat all those chocolates.

Употребление were считается несколько более «правильным», особенно для чисто воображаемых условий:

If I were the Queen of Sheba, you'd be King Solomon.
If I were a guy, I would look like my dad.
If my nose were a little shorter I'd be quite pretty.

Употребление were желательно в обороте If I were you...:

If I were you, I'd take it back to the shop. It's got a hole in it. (лучше, чем ‘If I was you...’)

Оператор может ставиться в начало предложения (союз при этом опускается):

Were I in your place, I would be very worried

Но такая конструкция значительно более формальна, чем 'if I were in your place' и т.п.

(при этом предложении не может начинаться с Was, Wasn't or Weren't, а только с Were).

■ Were необходимо употреблять в выражениях с 'If I were you/If I were in your position' и 'If it were not for/Were it not for' (так объясняется почему что-либо не произошло)

If I were you/in your position, I'd accept their offer.
If I were Jane/in Jane's position, I'd walk out on him.

If it wasn't for your help, I would still be homeless.
If it weren't for your help, I would still be homeless.
Were it not for your help, I would still be homeless (здесь недопустимо сокращение: Weren't it).
Were it not for the fact that you helped me, I would be homeless (were it not звучит очень формально).

If it wasn't for the fact that Greentown is 20 miles away, I would walk there.
If it weren't for the fact that Greentown is 20 miles away, I would walk there.
Were it not for the fact that Greentown is 20 miles away, I would walk there.

If it wasn't/weren't for Vivian, the conference wouldn't be going ahead.
If it wasn't/weren't for the fact that Jane would be offended, I wouldn't go to the party.

If it wasn't/weren't for his wife's money he'd never be a director (= Without his wife's money ...).
If it wasn't/weren't for the children, we could go skiing next week.
We would not be able to provide after-school sports if it were not for dedicated teachers like Mr Morgan.

2. прошедшее продолженное

It is ranining right now, so I will not go for a walk.
If it were not raining right now, I would go for a walk.

3. If + were to/was to

Такая конструкция выражает предположение о будущем (were можно заменять на was).:

lf you were to touch that wire, you would be killed instantly.
If we were to move north, we would be able to buy a bigger house.
If the boss was/were to come in now, we'd be in real trouble. (= If the boss came ... )
What would we do if I was/were to lose my job?
Even if you were to try, you wouldn't be able to do it.

Оператор можно переносит в начало предложения, но это звучит формально и старомодно (и в такой конструкции уже нельзя заменять were на was):

Were this enterprise to fail, it would be a disaster for us all.
Were the government to cut Value Added Tax, prices would fall.
Were the election to be held today, the Liberals would win easily (или 'If the election was/ were held today...').
Were I not in my 70s and rather unfit, I might consider taking up squash (или If I wasn't/ weren't in my 70s and rather unfit...).

При отрицании нельзя употреблять 'lf he were not to' и возможен только следующий вид:

There'd be a clear case for legal action over this matter were it not likely to make life difficult for all of us (не 'weren't if').

■ В главной части могут употребляться другие модальные глаголы:

If you were to start early tomorrow morning, you would (could, might, ought to, should) be at your destination by evening.

■ Вместо were to в британском английском может употребляться should, но надо учитывать, что для носителей американского диалекта это выглядит достаточно неестественно:

If he should (were to) hear of your marriage, he would be surprised.
If you should be passing my house, you might return the book you borrowed from me.

Конструкция were to обычно не употребляется с такими глаголами как belong, doubt, enjoy, know, like, remember и understand (которые выражают состояние):

If I knew they were honest, I'd gladly lend them the money (не If I were to know...)

If I knew her name ... (не If I were to know her name ... )

4. С помощью этой конструкции можно сделать предложение более вежливым:

Would it be too early for you if we were to meet at 5.30?
- If I asked him, I'm sure he'd help us. - Do you think he would? - Well if I were to ask him nicely.
If I were to (was to) ask, would you help me?
If you were to move your chair a bit, we could all sit down.

5. В главной части возможны не только would и should, но и другие модальные глаголы:

If you were to ask him, he might help you.
If Sue were to make an effort, she could do better.

6. would

В очень разговорной устной речи в американском английском употребляется would в обоих частях условного предложения:

It would be good if we'd get some rain.
How would we feel if this would happen to our family?

7. В главной части условных предложений этого типа могут употребляться модальные глаголы:

If I had another $500, I could buy a car (физически смог бы).
If you asked me nicely, I might get you a drink (возможно бы так поступил).
If you went to London you might see the Queen.
If he took his doctor's advice he might soon be well again.
You could do it if you tried.
If he knew the facts, he could tell us what to do
If you parked your car there (now), they would tow it away/we could keep an eye on it.

Еще примеры:

If he were here he could help us (ability).
If he were here he might help us (possibility).
If he failed, he ought to/should try again (duty).

Возможно употребление продолженного инфинитива после модальных глаголов:

If she were here now she could be helping us.
If he was in New York, he could have met my sister.
If they were in the army they would have been fighting in the jungle most of the time.