ако + Present Tense
Real Conditions
Ако means “if” for things that can really happen: Ако дојдеш, ќе одиме во кино (If you come, we will go to the cinema).
How It Works
The ако clause. Use a present-tense verb after ако, even when the event is in the future: Ако дојдеш (If you come). Ако is one of the words that let a perfective verb stand in the present, like ќе and да: see perfective verbs after да, ќе and ако.
The result. The result clause usually uses the future with ќе: Ако дојдеш, ќе одиме во кино. For a general rule, use the present: Ако врне, остануваме дома. For advice or a request, use a command: Ако имаш време, јави ми се.
Order. Either half can come first. When the ако clause comes first, put a comma after it: Ако сакаш, ќе ти помогнам or Ќе ти помогнам ако сакаш.
Ако or дали? English “if” has two meanings. For a condition, use ако. For “whether”, use дали: Не знам дали ќе дојде.
Other conditions. For imagined situations, use кога би ... би. For conditions that did not happen, see ако with the imperfect. A formal alternative to ако is доколку.
Examples (6)
- Ако дојдеш, ќе одиме во кино.
If you come, we will go to the cinema.
Word by Word: If come-you, will go-we in cinema.
A present verb after ако and ќе in the result.
- Ако врне, остануваме дома.
If it rains, we stay at home.
The present in the result states a general plan.
- Ако имаш време, јави ми се.
If you have time, give me a call.
The result can be a command.
- Ако не се облечеш топло, ќе настинеш.
If you do not dress warmly, you will catch a cold.
Не goes before the short word се in the ако clause.
- Ќе ти помогнам ако сакаш.
I will help you if you want.
The ако clause can come second, with no comma.
- Ако го видиш Марко, поздрави го.
If you see Marko, say hello to him.
The perfective видиш is allowed after ако.
Common Mistakes
Using дали for a condition.
Дали дојдеш, ќе одиме во кино.Ако дојдеш, ќе одиме во кино.English uses if for both conditions and whether. In Macedonian, a condition takes ако; дали only asks whether.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Real conditions need perfective presents after ако.
Related Patterns
- ќе + Present TenseThe Future with Ќе
The result clause usually uses ќе.
Level 2 - кога ќеFuture Time Clauses
Кога ќе is used for a future event that is sure to happen.
Level 3 - кога би ... биImagined Situations with Би
Би is used for imagined, less likely situations.
Level 4 - да / ако + ImperfectUnreal Conditions
Ако with the imperfect talks about conditions that did not happen.
Level 4 - доколкуFormal Conditions
A more formal word for if.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice ако + Present Tense in Bubblegum
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