Explanations

Basic usage

Variations

• What is always true: present + present

If I work late, I got tired.

If the water is boiling/has boiled, it means the food is nearly ready.

• What was always true: past + past

We went home early if it was foggy.

If it was snowing, we stayed at home.

• Real situations: present + future

Here we think that the outcome is really possible.

If you keep driving like that, you're going to have an accident.

If you see Mark, tell him I'll ring him tomorrow.

• Hypothetical situations: past + would

These are unreal or imaginary situations.

If I knew the answer, I'd tell you.

If I was having a party, I wouldn't invite Marcia.

The verb be usually takes the form were for all persons in these sentences,

though was is used in everyday speech. Note that in the first person it is

possible to use should instead of would.

If I left home, I think I should be lonely.

• Hypothetical past situations: past perfect + would have

These refer to past events.

If I had known you were coming, I would have met you at the station.

• With modals

Possible situations in the present

If you get wet, you should change your clothes immediately.

If you come early, we can discuss the problem together.

Hypothetical situations

If I had the money, I could help you.

Hypothetical past situations

If you hadn't reminded me, I might have forgotten.

• If only

This adds emphasis to hypothetical situations. With past events it adds a

sense of regret. The second part of the sentence is often left out.

If only I had enough time!

If only I hadn't drunk too much, this wouldn't have happened!

CONDITIONALSOther ways of

making a

conditional

sentence

• Unless and other alternatives to if

Unless means only if not.

I'll go ahead and get the tickets unless you call me this afternoon.

(This means if you call me this afternoon, I won't get the tickets.)

This means if one situation depends on another, if can be replaced by as/so

long as, provided or only if. See Grammar 13 for only if.

I'll do what you say provided the police are not informed.

Even if describes how something will happen whatever the condition.

Even if it rains, we'll still go for a picnic.

• Past events with results in the present: past perfect + would

If Jim hadn't missed the plane, he would be here by now.

• Should

After if, this makes the possibility of an event seem unlikely.

If you should see Ann, could you ask her to call me?

(This implies that I do not expect you to see Ann.)

• Were to

This also makes an event seem more hypothetical.

If I were to ask you to marry me, what would you say?

• Happen to

This emphasises chance possibilities. It is often used with should.

If you happen to see Helen, could you ask her to call me?

If you should happen to be passing, drop in for a cup of tea.

• If it were not for/if it hadn 't been for

This describes how one event depends on another.

If it weren't for Jim, this company would be in a mess.

If it hadn't been for their goalkeeper, United would have lost.

• Will and would: politeness and emphasis

These can be used as polite forms.

If you will/would wait here, I'll see if Mrs Green is free.

Will can also be used for emphasis, meaning 'insist on doing'.

If you will stay out late, no wonder you are tired! (insist on staying out)

• Supposing, otherwise

Supposing or suppose can replace if, mainly in everyday speech.

Supposing you won the football pools, what would you do?

Otherwise means 'or if not'. It can go at the beginning or end of the sentence.

If you hadn't given us directions, we wouldn't have found the house.

Thanks for your directions to the house. We wouldn't have found it otherwise.• But for

This can replace if not. It is used in formal language, and must be followed

by a noun form.

If you hadn't helped us, we would have been in trouble.

But for your help, we would have been in trouble.

• If so/if not

These can refer to a sentence understood but not stated.

There is a possibility that Jack will be late. If so, I will take his place.

• Colloquial omission of if

An imperative can be used instead of an if clause in everyday speech.

Sit down, and I'll make us a cup of tea. (If you sit down ...)

• If and adjectives

In expressions such as if it is necessary/possible it is possible to omit the

verb be.

If interested, apply within.

If necessary, take a taxi.

• Formally if can mean although, usually as if+ adjective.

The room was well-furnished, if a little badly decorated. Rewrite each sentence three times so that it contains the word in capitals.

a) We won't go away if the weather is bad.

UNLESS

ONLY

STAY

b) If you hurry up you won't be late.

DON'T

OR

WANT

c) If they offered you the job, would you accept?

WERE TO

SHOULD

HAPPENED

d) Without your help, I would have given up years ago.

HADN'T BEEN

BUT

HADN'T HELPED

e) I'll lend you the money on condition that you pay it back next week.

PROVIDED

LONG

ONLY

O Complete the text by writing one word in each space.

Mr Jeffries, I have decided against a prison sentence in your case. You may walk

free from this court on (1) that you report to Chesham

police station every Friday for the next six months. Should you fail to

(2) so, you will be given one warning; and if you persist

(3) failing to meet this obligation, you will return to this

court for a harsher sentence. (4) you can present good

reason why you were unable to report to the station, you will

(5) yourself in severe trouble. If you are

(6) to attend because of illness, please note that a medical

certificate must be produced, signed by your doctor, proving your state of

health. You should realise that (7) for your previous good

conduct, I would (8) had no hesitation in imposing a prison

sentence. And I shall not forget that if your friend had (9)

intervened in the fight, you might (10) seriously injured the

defendant.

1.b) If you are in London by any chance, come and see me.

happen

If you come and see me.

c) If you insist on doing everything yourself, of course you'll feel tired!

will

If you , of course you'll feel tired!

d) Please take a seat, and I'll inquire for you.

will

If you , I'll inquire for you.

e) If you do the shopping, I'll cook lunch.

and

You I'll cook lunch.

f) If Pauline hadn't been interested, the project would have been abandoned.

But the project would have been

abandoned.

g) The fire was brought under control thanks to the night-watchman.

for

If it hadn't got out of control.

h) Dick is in prison because a detective recognised him.

if

Dick wouldn't recognised him.

i) I am not tall enough to reach the shelf.

taller

If I reach the shelf.

j) But for Helen acting so wonderfully, the play would be a flop.

wonderful

If it the play would be a flop.

k) It won't make any difference if City score first; United will still win.

even

United City score first.

1) Getting up early makes me feel hungry.

If makes me feel hungry.

 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first

sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given.

a) I didn't have the money so I didn't buy a new suit.

would

If I a new suit.

2.