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Unit 100 · Conjunctions and clauses

If I had ... If we went ... etc.

Study

A

Dan likes fast cars, but he doesn't have one. He doesn't have enough money.

›

If he had the money, he would buy a fast car.

Usually had is past, but in this sentence had is not past. If he had the money = if he had the money now (but he doesn't have it).

had / knew / lived (etc.) ... would ...
If didn't have / didn't know (etc.) ... wouldn't ...
I were ... could ...
you couldn't ...
it
they

You can say:

›

If he had the money, he would buy a car.

or

›

He would buy a car if he had the money.

I'd / she'd / they'd etc. = I would / she would / they would etc.:

›

I don't know the answer. If I knew the answer, I'd tell you.

›

It's raining, so we're not going out. We'd get wet if we went out.

›

Jane lives in a city. She likes cities. She wouldn't be happy if she lived in the country.

›

If you didn't have a job, what would you do? (but you have a job)

›

I'm sorry I can't help you. I'd help you if I could. (but I can't)

›

If we had a car, we could travel more. (but we don't have a car, so we can't travel much)

B

If (I) was/were ...

You can say: if I/he/she/it was or if I/he/she/it were

›

It's not a very nice place. I wouldn't go there if I were you. (or ... if I was you)

›

It would be nice if the weather was better. (or ... if the weather were better)

›

What would Tom do if he were here? (or ... if he was here)

C

Compare:

if I have / if it is etc.

›

I must go and see Helen. If I have time, I will go today. (= maybe I'll have time, so maybe I'll go)

›

I like that jacket. I'll buy it if it isn't too expensive. (= maybe it will not be too expensive)

›

I'll help you if I can. (= maybe I can)

if I had / if it was etc.

›

I must go and see Helen. If I had time, I would go today. (= I don't have time today, so I will not go)

›

I like this jacket, but it's very expensive. I'd buy it if it wasn't so expensive. (= it is expensive, so I'm not going to buy it)

›

I'd help you if I could, but I can't.

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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100.1

Complete the sentences.

  1. 1
    I don't know the answer. If I the answer, I'd tell you.example
  2. 2
    I have a car. I couldn't travel very much if I a car.example
  3. 3
    I don't want to go out. If I to go out, I'd go.
  4. 4
    We don't have a key. If we a key, we could get into the house.
  5. 5
    I'm not hungry. I would have something to eat if I hungry.
  6. 6
    Sue enjoys her work. She wouldn't do it if she it.
  7. 7
    He can't speak any foreign languages. If he speak a foreign language, perhaps he would get a better job.
  8. 8
    You don't try hard enough. If you harder, you would have more success.
  9. 9
    I have a lot to do today. If I so much to do, we could go out.
100.2

Put the verb in the correct form.

  1. 1
    If he the money, he would buy a fast car. (he/have)example
  2. 2
    Jane likes living in a city. She happy if she lived in the country. (she/not/be)example
  3. 3
    If I wanted to learn Italian, to Italy. (I go)
  4. 4
    I haven't told Helen what happened. She'd be angry if (she/know)
  5. 5
    If a map, I could show you where I live. (we/have)
  6. 6
    What would you do if a lot of money? (you/win)
  7. 7
    It's not a very good hotel. there if I were you. (I/not/stay)
  8. 8
    If nearer London, we would go there more often. (we/live)
  9. 9
    It's a shame you have to go now. nice if you had more time. (it/be)
  10. 10
    I'm not going to take the job. I'd take it if better. (the salary/be)
  11. 11
    I don't know anything about cars. If the car broke down, what to do. (I/not/know)
  12. 12
    If you could change one thing in the world, what ? (you/change)
100.3

Complete the sentences. Choose from the box and put the verb in the correct form.

we (have) a bigger houseit (be) a bit cheaperwe (buy) a bigger housethe air (be) cleanerwe (have) some pictures on the wallI (watch) itevery day (be) the sameI (be) bored
  1. 1
    I'd buy that jacket if .example
  2. 2
    If there was a good film on TV tonight, .
  3. 3
    This room would be nicer if .
  4. 4
    If there wasn't so much traffic, .
  5. 5
    Life would be boring if .
  6. 6
    If I had nothing to do, .
  7. 7
    We could invite all our friends to stay if .
  8. 8
    If we had more money, .
100.4

Complete the sentences. Use your own ideas.

  1. 1
    I'd be happier if .example
  2. 2
    If I could go anywhere in the world, .
  3. 3
    I wouldn't be very happy if .
  4. 4
    I'd buy if .
  5. 5
    If I saw an accident in the street, .
  6. 6
    The world would be a better place if .