《第三十三章》條件句型

Today we want to look at Conditional sentences.  These are probably one of the most commonly used sentences.  You may not have been aware of the fact, but we have already used conditional sentences. 

條件句型也許是最常用的句型之一；或許你並未注意，但我們已經用到它了。

Conditional sentences are comprised to two clauses.  The first is the conditional aspect.  It is usually introduced by words such as si = if, nisi = unless.  This clause introduces a possible condition.  The second clause is the conclusion. 

條件句型由兩個子句構成：第一個子句用來說明條件，通常由si（若是、如果）或nisi（若非、除非）等字詞引導一個可能的條件；而第二個子句則說明結論。

There are basically six (6) types of conditional sentences.  Three (3) of them use the indicative mood of the verb and three (3) of them use the subjunctive mood of the verb.

基本上條件句的型式一共有六種，其中三種使用動詞的直說語氣，另外三種則使用假設語氣。

Let first look at the three indicative uses. 

首先我們來看三種直說語氣的用法：

1. The first is a simple fact in the present tense.  The present tense is used in both clauses and we merely express a simple fact. E.G.  If you are studying daily, you are wise.  Si cotidie  studes, prudens es.

第一種是現在的簡單事實，在兩個子句中均使用現在式，表示簡單的事實。例：如果你每天唸書，就很有智慧。

2. The second is a simple fact in the past tense.  The past tense is used in both clauses and we are merely expressing a simple fact again.  E.G. If you studied daily, you were wise.  Si cotidie studuisti, prudens fuisti.

第二種是過去的簡單事實，在兩個子句中均使用過去式，表示簡單的事實。例：如果你（那時）每天唸書，就很有智慧。

3. The third is, you guessed it, a simple fact in the future.  The future tense is used in both clauses and we simple express a simple fact.  E.G. If you will study daily, you will be wise.  Si cotidie studebits, prudens eris.

第三種，你也猜到了，是未來的簡單事實，在兩個子句中均使用未來式以表示簡單的事實。例：如果你（之後）每天唸書，你會很有智慧。

Now let’s look at the three conditions which utilize the subjunctive mood.

現在來看使用假設語氣的三種條件句型：

1. The first is referred to as a contrary to the fact in the present tense.  What is being expressed here is a condition which should have been done but, in fact, isn’t.  The imperfect subjuctive is used in both clauses.  E.G.  If you were studying daily, you would be wise.  Si cotidie studeres, prudens esses.

第一種是與現在事實相反。這所代表的是一個本來應該完成但事實上沒有的條件。在兩個子句中都使用假設語氣的未完成式。例：如果你有每天唸書，應該會很有智慧。

2. The second is referred to as a contrary to the fact in the past tense.  In this case the pluperfect subjunctive is being used in both clauses.  E. G.  If you had been studying daily, you would have been wise.  Si cotidie studuisses, prudens fuisses.

第二種是與過去事實相反。這種情況下，在兩個子句中都使用假設語氣的過去完成式。例：如果你之前有每天唸書，應該（那時）就會很有智慧。

3. The third is referred to by several names.  It has been called a contrary to the fact in the future tense, it has been referred to as a future less vivid, as well as a  should-would sentence.  Both clauses will contain the present subjunctive and the English will use the auxiliary words should and would to aid in the translation.  E.G. If you should study daily, you would be wise.  Si cotidie studeas, prudens sis.

第三種有許多名稱，可以稱為與未來事實相反，或者比較不生動的未來式，也稱為should-would句型。兩個子句都會包含假設語氣的現在時式，而英文會用should和would助動詞來協助翻譯。例：若是你每天念書，你將很有智慧。

No let’s return to our text.