A. If I had ... If we went ... etc.
Dan likes fast cars but he doesn't have one.
He doesn't have money.
If he had the money, he would buy a fast car.
Usually had is past, but in this sentence it has a present meaning.
If he had the money = if he had money now (but he doesn't have it).
| If |
had/knew/lived/went etc. |
I/you/it/they etc. |
would(n’t) |
buy ... be ... have ... go ... etc. |
| If |
didn’t have/knew/was/were ... |
you |
could(n’t) |
... |
You can say:
• If he had the money, he would buy a car. (If ... at the beginning)
• or He would buy a car if he had the money. (... if ... in the middle)
• 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)
• 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 haven't got a car, so we can't travel much)
B. If (I) was/were ...
You can say: if (I/he/she/it) was or were ...
• It's cold. If I were you, I'd put your coat on.
• (or If I was you ...)
• It's not a very nice place. I wouldn't go there if I was you.
• if I was you. (or ... if I were you)
• It would be nice if the weather were (or was) better.
C. Compare:
if I have / if it is etc.
• I must go and see Ann.
• If I have time, I will go today.
• (= perhaps I'll have time, so perhaps I'll go)
• I like that jacket.
• I'll buy it if it isn't too expensive.
• (= perhaps it will not be too expensive)
• I'll help you if I can. (= perhaps I can help)
if I had / if it was etc.
• I must go and see Ann.
• If I had time, I would go today.
• (= I don't have time today so I will not go)
• I like that 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.
If I had ... would ...
If he had the money, he would buy a fast car.
If I knew the answer, I'd tell you.
We'd get wet if we went out.
She wouldn't be happy if she lived in the country.
If you didn't have a job, what would you do?
I'd help you if I could.
If we had a car, we could travel more.
if I was/were ...
If I were you, I'd put your coat on.
I wouldn't go there if I was you.
It would be nice if the weather were better.