If sentences (present/future)

UNIT 34 If sentences (present/future)

A.   Compare these examples:
Tom: I think I left my lighter at your house. Have you seen it?
Ann: No, but I'll look. If I find it, I'll give it to you.

In this example there is a real possibility that Ann will find the lighter. So she says: "If I find . . . I'll . . .

Ann: If I found a $100 bill on the street, I would keep it.

This is a different type of situation. Ann is not thinking about a real possibility; she is imagining the situation. So she says: "If I found . . . I would . . . (not "If I find . . . I'll . . . )


When you imagine a future happening like this, you use a past tense form (did/came/found, etc.) after if. But the meaning past:

• What would you do if you won a million dollars?

• If we didn't go to their party next week, they would be very angry.

• Ann wouldn't lend any money If I asked her.                         

B.   We do not normally use would in the if part the sentence:

• I'd be very frightened if someone pointed a gun at me. (not if someone would point)

• If we didn't go to their party next week, they would be angry. (not if we wouldn't go)

Sometimes is possible to say if . . . would , especially when you ask someone to do something in a formal way:

• I would be very grateful if you would send me your brochure and price list as soon as possible. (from a formal letter)

C   In the other part of the sentence (not the if part) we use would/wouldn't. Would is often shortened to 'd, especially in spoken English:

• If you stopped smoking, you'd probably feel healthier.

• They wouldn't come to the party if you invited them.

You can also use could and might.

• They might be angry if I didn't visit them (= perhaps they would be)

• If it stopped raining, we could go out. (= we would be able to go out)

D.   Do not use when in sentences like this:

• Tom would be angry if I didn't visit him. (not when I didn't visit)

• What would you do if you were bitten by a snake? (not when you were)