In both Russian and English it is possible to speak about real and unreal or contrary-to-the fact conditions. A real condition is a statement of fact and refers to something that could actually take place. In Russian, statements of real conditions are introduced by the conjunction ЕСЛИ. The verb in such statements can be in the present, past, or future tense.

 

-If you are bored, go home.

 

Если тебе скучно, иди домой.

 

-If I find out something, I’ll give you a call.

 

Если я что-нибудь узнаю, я тебе позвоню.

 

-If Mark buys tickets, we’ll go to the concert.

 

Если Марк купит билеты, мы пойдём на концерт.

 

-If I’m running late, I usually take a taxi.

 

Если я опаздываю, я обычно беру такси.

 

-If you were so bored, why didn’t you say something?

 

Если тебе было (так) скучно, почему ты ничего не сказал/а?

 

 

An unreal or contrary-to-fact condition is a statement about something that might have taken place but didn’t, or something that might take place, but probably won’t. In Russian, statements of unreal conditions are introduced by the conjunction ЕСЛИ and the conditional particle БЫ. The conditional particle БЫ is also used in the second part of the sentence. The verbs in both parts of the sentence are in the past tense form. In rapid speech БЫ may be shortened to Б.

 

-Если бы /б я всё знал/а, я бы /б тебе рассказала.

 

If I had known everything, I would’ve told you.

 

-Если бы нам было скучно, мы бы пошли домой.

 

If we had been bored, we would have gone home. (But we were not bored.)

 

-Если бы Марк смог купить билеты, мы бы пошли на концерт.

 

If Mark could buy tickets, we would go to the concert. (But it’s unlikely that he will)

 

-Если бы я опаздывал/а, я бы взял/а такси.

 

If I were late, I would take a taxi. (But I am not late)

 

-Если бы я устал/а, я бы тебе сказала.

 

If I were tired, I’d tell you. (But I am not tired.

 

 

If I were you – НА ВАШЕМ МЕСТЕ

 

НА ВАШЕМ (ТВОЁМ) МЕСТЕ Я БЫ ПОЕХАЛА ПУТЕШЕСТВОВАТЬ.

 

I would go traveling if I were you.