Use if + past (if I had, if we went) with would or could for a situation that is not real now. The past form does not mean past time. If I were you and if I was you are both correct. Compare if I have (it may happen) with if I had (it is not happening).
A if + past, would + verb
Sara loves horses, but she doesn't own one. She hasn't got enough space.
If she had the space, she would buy a horse.
had is normally past, but here it is not past time. If she had the space = if she had it now (but she doesn't).
| if part | other part |
|---|---|
| if I / you / it / they had, knew, lived, went ... | I / you / it / they would(n't) buy, be, have, go ... |
| if I / you / it / they didn't have, know, go ... | I / you / it / they could(n't) buy, be, have, go ... |
| if it was / were ... | |
| if they could ... |
The if part can go first or in the middle.
I'd / she'd / they'd = I would / she would / they would.
- If she had the space, she would buy a horse.
- She would buy a horse if she had the space.
- I don't know her number. If I knew it, I'd give it to you.
- It's pouring, so we're staying in. We'd get soaked if we went out.
- Tom loves the city. He wouldn't be happy if he lived in a village.
- If you didn't have to work, what would you do all day? (but you do have to work)
- I'm sorry I can't come. I'd come if I could. (but I can't)
- If we had a garden, we could grow our own vegetables. (but we haven't got one)
B if I was / if I were
After if, you can say was or were with I, he, she and it.
- It's freezing. If I were you, I'd wear a hat. (or If I was you ...)
- That garage overcharges everyone. I wouldn't take my car there if I was you. (or ... if I were you)
- It would be nice if the bus were (or was) more reliable.
C if I have or if I had
| if I have / if it is (it may happen) | if I had / if it was (it is not happening) |
|---|---|
| I need to visit my uncle. If I have time, I'll go this afternoon. (= maybe I'll have time) | I need to visit my uncle. If I had time, I'd go this afternoon. (= I haven't got time, so I won't go) |
| I like that lamp. I'll buy it if it isn't too expensive. (= maybe it isn't) | I like that lamp, but it costs a fortune. I'd buy it if it wasn't so expensive. (= it is, so I won't) |
| I'll help you if I can. (= maybe I can) | I'd help you if I could, but I can't. |
- If I have time, I'll go this afternoon.
- If I had time, I'd go this afternoon.
Exercises
100.1 Complete the sentences.
I don't know her number. If I knew it, I'd give it to you.
I don't know her number. If I knew it, I'd give it to you.
I've got a bike. I couldn't get to work easily if I didn't have a bike.
I've got a bike. I couldn't get to work easily if I didn't have a bike.
I don't want to go to the party. If I to go, I'd go.
I don't want to go to the party. If I wanted to go, I'd go.
We haven't got a ladder. If we a ladder, we could reach the roof.
We haven't got a ladder. If we had a ladder, we could reach the roof.
I'm not tired. I'd go to bed if I tired.
I'm not tired. I'd go to bed if I was tired.
Ali loves his job. He wouldn't do it if he it.
Ali loves his job. He wouldn't do it if he didn't like it.
You can't swim. If you swim, I'd take you to the lake.
You can't swim. If you could swim, I'd take you to the lake.
She speaks very quietly. I could hear her better if she louder.
She speaks very quietly. I could hear her better if she spoke louder.
I've got loads of work today. If I so much work, we could go to the beach.
I've got loads of work today. If I didn't have so much work, we could go to the beach.
100.2 Put the verb in the correct form.
If she had the space, she would buy a horse. (she/have)
If she had the space, she would buy a horse.
Tom loves the city. He wouldn't be happy if he lived in a village. (he/not/be)
Tom loves the city. He wouldn't be happy if he lived in a village.
If I wanted to learn Spanish, to Mexico. (I/go)
If I wanted to learn Spanish, I would go to Mexico.
I haven't told Dad about the dent in the car. He'd be furious if . (he/know)
I haven't told Dad about the dent in the car. He'd be furious if he knew.
If a pen, I could write down your address. (I/have)
If I had a pen, I could write down your address.
What would you do if the lottery? (you/win)
What would you do if you won the lottery?
It's not a very safe area. there at night if I were you. (I/not/walk)
It's not a very safe area. I wouldn't walk there at night if I were you.
If nearer the coast, we would go swimming more often. (we/live)
If we lived nearer the coast, we would go swimming more often.
Pity you're only here for a day. great if you could stay the weekend. (it/be)
Pity you're only here for a day. It would be great if you could stay the weekend.
I'm not going to buy the flat. I'd buy it if bigger. (the kitchen/be)
I'm not going to buy the flat. I'd buy it if the kitchen was bigger.
I know nothing about computers. If my laptop stopped working, what to do. (I/not/know)
I know nothing about computers. If my laptop stopped working, I wouldn't know what to do.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where ? (you/live)
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
100.3 Complete the sentences. Choose from the box and put the verb in the correct form: we (have) a bigger flat / I (watch) it / it (be) a bit cheaper / we (move) to a bigger flat / every day (be) the same / I (be) bored / we (put) some plants in it / the air (be) cleaner.
I'd buy that coat if it was a bit cheaper.
I'd buy that coat if it was a bit cheaper.
If there was a good programme on TV tonight, .
If there was a good programme on TV tonight, I would watch it.
This room would look better if .
This room would look better if we put some plants in it.
If there wasn't so much traffic, .
If there wasn't so much traffic, the air would be cleaner.
Life would be dull if .
Life would be dull if every day was the same.
If I had nothing to do, .
If I had nothing to do, I would be bored.
We could have friends to stay if .
We could have friends to stay if we had a bigger flat.
If we earned more money, .
If we earned more money, we would move to a bigger flat.
100.4 Complete the sentences. Use your own ideas. The answers below are examples; yours will be different.
I'd go to the doctor if ...
Example answer: I'd go to the doctor if I felt ill.
If I could live in any city, ...
Example answer: If I could live in any city, I'd choose Lisbon.
I wouldn't be very happy if ...
Example answer: I wouldn't be very happy if I lost my job.
I'd buy a boat if ...
Example answer: I'd buy a boat if I lived by the sea.
If I saw a fight in the street, ...
Example answer: If I saw a fight in the street, I'd call the police.
Our town would be nicer if ...
Example answer: Our town would be nicer if there were more trees.