«But for» structure / Структура «если бы не...»
Рассмотрим пример:
If it were not so cold, we wouldn’t wear warm clothes. – Если бы не было так холодно, мы бы не надевали теплую одежду (рис. 1).
Рис. 1. Иллюстрация ‘If it weren’t so cold…’
Это условное предложение 2-го типа, относящееся к настоящему. То же самое можно сказать иначе:
But for the cold weather, we wouldn’t wear warm clothes.
Как можно увидеть, фраза ‘but for the cold weather’ синонимична условной части ‘if it were not so cold’. На русский язык это будет переводиться следующим образом:
Если бы не холодная погода, мы бы не надевали теплую одежду.
Рассмотрим еще один пример:
If I hadn’t surfed the Internet, I wouldn’t have got a new job. – Если бы я не искал в Интернете, я бы не нашел новую работу (рис. 2).
Рис. 2. Иллюстрация ‘If I hadn’t ...’
But for the Internet, I wouldn’t have got a new job. – Если бы не Интернет, я бы не нашел новую работу.
Потренируемся на заданиях. Измените предложения так, как мы делали выше:
1. If my friend had not given us advice, we wouldn't have found a new flat in this city.
2. If our grandpa didn’t have glasses, he wouldn’t be able to read newspapers.
3. If my parents hadn’t paid for my education, I wouldn’t be able to study at the university.
4. If Mike hadn’t been a talented actor, he would never have become a film star.
5. If Kelly weren’t so stubborn, I wouldn’t feel so worried about her.
Правильные ответы:
1. But for my friend’s advice, we wouldn't have found a new flat in this city.
2. But for our grandpa’s glasses, he wouldn’t be able to read newspapers.
3. But for my parents, I wouldn’t be able to study at the university.
4. But for Mike’s talent, he would never have become a film star.
5. But for Kelly’s stubbornness, I wouldn’t feel so worried about her.
Вопросы к конспектам
1. Перефразируйте предложения, используя конструкцию ‘But for…’
1. If I had known my friend wasn’t invited, I would have never come. 2. You would hardly recognize her with these glasses on if you met her. 3. If a passer-by hadn't helped us, we would not have found the way. 4. Mother would have had a short rest if the boy had gone to sleep. 5. We wouldn't have made friends with them if we hadn't stayed at the same hotel. 6. It wouldn't have been so cold in the morning if the wind had stopped blowing. 7. Peter would accept your invitation if he were free from his job. 8. They wouldn't have quarreled if they both had not been so impatient. 9. If they weren’t interested in each other, they wouldn't spend so much time together. 10. If it didn’t snow, the weather would get warmer.