A. Compare these examples:
(1) Sue
has lost her watch. She thinks it may be at Ann's house.
SUE: I
think I left my watch at your house. Have you seen it?
ANN: No,
but I'll have a took when I get home. If I find it, I'll tell you.
In this
example, Ann feels there is a real possibility that she will find the watch. So
she says:
If I
find ..., I'll ....
(2) Ann
says: If I found a wallet in the street, I'd take it to the police.
This is
a different type of situation. Here, Ann is not thinking about a real
possibility; she is imagining the situation and doesn't expect to find a wallet
in the street. So she says:
If I
found ..., I'd (= I would) ... (not If I find ...,I'll)
When you
imagine something like this, you use if + past (if I found/if you were/if we
didn't etc.). But the meaning is not past:
* What
would you do if you won a million pounds? (we don't really expect this to
happen)
* I
don't really want to go to their party, but I probably will go. They'd be
offended if I didn't go.
* Sarah
has decided not to apply for the job. She isn't really qualified for it, so she
probably wouldn't get it if she applied.
B. We
do not normally use would in the if-part of the sentence:
* I'd be
very frightened if somebody pointed a gun at me. (not 'if somebody would
point')
* If I
didn't go to their party, they'd be offended. (not 'If I wouldn't go')
But it
is possible to say 'if... would' when you ask somebody to do something:
* (from
a formal letter) I would be grateful if you would send me your brochure as soon
as possible.
* 'Shall
I close the door?' 'Yes, please, if you would.'
C. In
the other part of the sentence (not the if-part) we use would ('d)/wouldn't:
* If you
took more exercise, you'd (= you would) probably feet healthier,
* Would
you mind if I used your phone?
* I'm
not tired enough to go to bed yet. I wouldn't steep (if I went to bed now).
Could
and might are also possible:
* If you
took more exercise, you might feet healthier. (= it is possible that you would
feel healthier)
* If it
stopped raining, we could go out. (= we would be able to go out)
D. Do
not use when in sentences like those on this page:
* They
would be offended if we didn't accept their invitation. (not 'when we didn't')
* What
would you do if you were bitten by a snake? (not 'when you were bitten')
For if
and when see also Unit 25C.
EXERCISES
37.1 Put
the verb into the correct form.
1. They
would be rather offended if I _didn't go_ to see them. (not/go)
2. If
you took more exercise, you _would feel_ better. (feel)
3. If I
was offered the job, I think I --- it. (take)
4. I'm
sure Amy will lend you the money. I'd be very surprised if she ---. (refuse)
5. If I
sold my car, I --- much money for it. (not/get)
6. A lot
of people would be out of work if the factory ---. (close down)
7. What
would happen if I --- that red button? (press)
8. Liz
gave me this ring. She --- very upset if I lost it. (be)
9. Mark
and Carol are expecting us. They would be disappointed if we ---. (not/come)
10.
Would Tim mind if I --- his bicycle without asking him? (borrow)
11. If
somebody --- in here with a gun, I'd be very frightened. (walk)
12. I'm
sure Sue --- if you explained the situation to her. (understand)
37.2 You
ask a friend questions. Use What would you do if ...?
1.
(Maybe one day your friend will win a lot of money.)
_What
would you do if you won a lot of money?_
2. (Your
friend's car has never been stolen but perhaps one day it will be.)
What ---
3.
(Perhaps one day your friend will lose his/her passport.)
4.
(There has never been a fire in the building.)
37.3
Answer the questions in the way shown.
1. A:
Shall we catch the 10.30 train?
B: No.
(arrive/too early) _If we caught the 10.30 train, we'd arrive too early._
2.
A: Is Ken going to take the examination?
B: No.
(fall) If he ---
3.
A: Why don't we stay at a hotel?
B: No.
(cost too much money) If ---
4. A: Is
Sally going to apply for the job?
B: No.
(not/get it) If ---
5. A:
Let's tell them the truth.
B: No.
(not/believe us) If ---
6.
A: Why don't we invite Bill to the
party?
B: No.
(have to invite his friends too)
37.4 Use
your own ideas to complete these sentences.
1. If
you took more exercise, _you'd feel better._
2. I'd
feel very angry if ---
3. If I
didn't go to work tomorrow ---
4. Would
you go to the party if ---
5. If
you bought some new clothes
6. Would
you mind if ---
the answer
37.1
3 would
take/'d take
4
refused
5
wouldn't get
6 closed
down (or was/were closed down)
7
pressed
8 would
be/'d be
9 didn't
come
10
borrowed
11 walked
12 would
understand
37.2
2 What
would you do if your car was stolen or ... were stolen
3 What
would you do if you lost your passport)
4 What
would you do if there was a fire in the building? or ... if there were a fire
in the building?
37.3
2 If he
took the examination, he'd fail. or ... he would fail.
3 If we
stayed at a hotel, it would cost too much money.
4 If she
applied for the job, she wouldn't get it.
5 If we
told them the truth, they wouldn't believe us.
6 If we
invited Bill to the party, we'd have to invite his friends too.
37.4
Example answers:
2
somebody broke into my house.
3 I'd
have a much nicer day than usual.
4 you
were invited?
5 you'd
look much nicer.
6 I
didn't come out with you this evening?
