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Unit 38. If I do ... and If I did ...




Unit 38; Part A

galka.jpgCompare these examples:
(1) 
Lisa has lost her watch. She tells Sue:
        Lisa: I've lost my watch. Have you seen it anywhere?
        Sue: No, but if I find it, I'll tell you.

In this example, Sue feels there is a real possibility that she will find the watch. So she says: if I find..., I'll... .

(2)  
Joe says:
        If I found a wallet in the street, I'd take it to the police station.
Thisis a different type of situation. Here, Joe doesn't expect to find awallet in the street: he is imagining a situation that will probablynot happen.38.1.jpg So he 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 there was / 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 upset if I didn't go.
•    If there was (or were) an election tomorrow, who would you vote for?


For if ... was/were, see Unit 39C.

Unit 38; Part B

galka.jpgWe 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 upset.  (not If I wouldn't go)

But you can use if ... would when you ask somebody to do something:

•    (from a formal letter) I would be grateful if you would let me know your decision as soon as possible.

Unit 38; Part C

galka.jpgIn 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) feel better.
•    I'm not tired. If I went to bed now, I wouldn't sleep.
•    Would you mind if I used your phone?

Could
and might are also possible:

•    If you took more exercise, you might feel better.  (= it is possible that you would feel better)
•    If it stopped raining, we could go out. 
(= we would be able to go out)

Unit 38; Part D

galka.jpgDo not use when in sentences like those on this page:

•   
They'd be upset if I didn't go to their party.
(not when I didn't go)
•    What would you do if you were bitten by a snake? 
(not when you were bitten)



Exercises

flag.jpgPut the verb into the correct form.
Key.3    'd take / would take
4    closed down
5    wouldn't get
6    pressed
7    did
8    'd be / would be
9    didn't come
10  borrowed
11  walked
12  would understand


1    They would be offended if I    didn't go    to their party.  (not / go)
2    If you took more exercise, you    would feel    better.  (feel)
3    If they offered me the job, I think I ___________ it.  (take)
4    A lot of people would be out of work if the car factory ___________. (close down)
5    If I sold my car, I ___________ much money for it.  (not / get)
6    (in a lift) What would happen if somebody ___________ that red button?  (press)
7    I don't think there's any chance that Gary and Emma will get married. I'd be absolutely astonished if they ___________.(do)
8    Liz gave me this ring. She ___________ very upset if I lost it.  (be)
9    Dave and Kate are expecting us. They would be very disappointed if we ___________. (not / come)
10  Would Steve mind if I ___________ his bike without asking him?  (borrow)
11  What would you do if somebody ___________ in here with a gun?  (walk)
12  I'm sure Sue ___________ if you explained the situation to her.  (understand)
flag.jpgYou ask a friend to imagine these situations. You ask What would you do if ... ?
Key.2    What would you do if you lost your passport?
3    What would you do if there was/were a fire in the building?
4    What would you do if you were in a lift and it stopped between floors?


1    (imagine - you win a lot of money)
      What would you do if you won a lot of money?      
2    (imagine - you lose your passport)
      What _______________________________________
3    (imagine - there's a fire in the building)
      _____________________________________________
4    (imagine - you're in a lift and it stops between floors)
      _____________________________________________
flag.jpgAnswer the questions in the way shown.
Key.2    If he took his driving test, he'd fail (it)./... he would fail (it).
3    If we stayed at a hotel, it would cost too much.
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, we'd have to invite his friends too. / ... we would have to ...


1    A: Shall we catch the 10.30 train?
      B: No. (arrive too earlv)   If we caught the 10.30 train, we'd arrive too early.   
2    A: Is Kevin going to take his driving test?
      B: No.  (fail)  If he __________________________________________
3    A: Why don't we stay at a hotel?
      B: No.  (cost too much)  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) __________________________________________
flag.jpgUse your own ideas to complete these sentences.
Key.Example answers:
2    I'd be very angry if somebody broke into my house.
3    If I didn't go to work tomorrow, I'd have a much nicer day than usual.
4    Would you go to the party if you were invited?
5    If you bought some new clothes, you'd feel much better.
6    Would you mind if I didn't go out with you this evening?


1    If you took more exercise, you'd feel better.   
2    I'd be 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 vou mind if ____________________








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