24. Conditional Sentences
24.1 Real conditional sentences
Conditional sentences consist of two clauses, a condition, and the
result of that condition. If the result is certain, given the
condition, then the sentence is formed thus; the first clause begins
with калі and states the condition. The second clause can optionally
begin with the word дык, and then states the result.
Калі́ ён здаро́вы, дык ён мо́жа працава́ць. |
If he is healthy, then he can work.* | td>Калі́ ён ве́даў, ён не ішо́ў. |
If he knew, then he did not go.* |
24.2 Hypothetical conditional sentences
If the result is uncertain, then the particle бы (б when preceded by
a vowel) must be inserted into the result clause and any indicative verb
must be changed to the past tense. If there is speculation involved,
then the condition clause can also have бы added to it and the verb
changed to the past tense.
| Калі́ ён здаро́вы, ён мог бы працава́ць. | If he is healthy, he might be able to work.* | |td>Калі́ б ён быў здаро́вы, то мог бы працава́ць. | If he were healthy, then he mi | |td>Калі́ ён ве́даў, ён не пайшо́ў бы. | If he knew, he might not have gone.* | |лі́ б ён ве́даў, то не пайшо́ў бы`. | If he had not known, he might not have gone.*</td>
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