Если идти так, можно быстрее добраться до метро.

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Breakdown of Если идти так, можно быстрее добраться до метро.

• идти: to go
• можно: can
• метро: the metro

Questions & Answers about Если идти так, можно быстрее добраться до метро.

Why is идти in the infinitive after если instead of something like если ты идёшь?

Because Russian often uses an impersonal pattern here.

Если идти так literally means something like If one goes this way. In natural English, that usually becomes If you go this way. The sentence is not talking about a specific named person; it gives general advice.

So these are all possible, but they differ slightly:

• Если идти так... = general, impersonal, neutral
• Если ты идёшь так... = about a specific you
• Если мы идём так... = about we

The infinitive makes the statement broader and less personal.

Who is the subject of the sentence? Is it you?

There is no explicit subject, but in English the most natural interpretation is often you.

Russian often leaves the subject unstated when the meaning is general or obvious from context. In this sentence:

• Если идти так = If you go this way / If one goes this way
• можно быстрее добраться = it is possible to get there faster

So yes, in practice English usually uses you, but Russian does not have to say ты or вы.

Why does the sentence use можно instead of ты можешь or вы можете?

Можно is an impersonal word meaning , , or .