Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 100 · B1

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

Use if + past (if I had, if we went) with would or could for a situation that is not real now. The past form does not mean past time. If I were you and if I was you are both correct. Compare if I have (it may happen) with if I had (it is not happening).

Start the lesson

16Steps · about 32 minutes

In this lesson

if + past, would + verbA7 screens of questions
if I was / if I wereB1 screen of questions
if I have or if I hadC1 screen of questions
Put it together+2 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

if + past, would + verb

Sara loves horses, but she doesn't own one. She hasn't got enough space.

If she had the space, she would buy a horse.

had is normally past, but here it is not past time. If she had the space = if she had it now (but she doesn't).

if part other part
if I / you / it / they had, knew, lived, went ... I / you / it / they would(n't) buy, be, have, go ...
if I / you / it / they didn't have, know, go ... I / you / it / they could(n't) buy, be, have, go ...
if it was / were ...
if they could ...

The if part can go first or in the middle.

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

  • If she had the space, she would buy a horse.
  • She would buy a horse if she had the space.
  • I don't know her number. If I knew it, I'd give it to you.
  • It's pouring, so we're staying in. We'd get soaked if we went out.
  • Tom loves the city. He wouldn't be happy if he lived in a village.
  • If you didn't have to work, what would you do all day? (but you do have to work)
  • I'm sorry I can't come. I'd come if I could. (but I can't)
  • If we had a garden, we could grow our own vegetables. (but we haven't got one)

Point A · Exercise 100.1 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences.

  1. Example

    I don't know her number. If I knew it, I'd give it to you.

    AnswerI don't know her number. If I knew it, I'd give it to you.

  2. Example

    I've got a bike. I couldn't get to work easily if I didn't have a bike.

    AnswerI've got a bike. I couldn't get to work easily if I didn't have a bike.

  3. I don't want to go to the party. If I to go, I'd go.

  4. We haven't got a ladder. If we a ladder, we could reach the roof.

  5. I'm not tired. I'd go to bed if I tired.

  6. Ali loves his job. He wouldn't do it if he it.

Point A · Exercise 100.1 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences.

  1. You can't swim. If you swim, I'd take you to the lake.

  2. She speaks very quietly. I could hear her better if she louder.

  3. I've got loads of work today. If I so much work, we could go to the beach.

Point A · Exercise 100.2 · part 1 of 3

Put the verb in the correct form.

  1. Example

    If she had the space, she would buy a horse. (she/have)

    AnswerIf she had the space, she would buy a horse.

  2. Example

    Tom loves the city. He wouldn't be happy if he lived in a village. (he/not/be)

    AnswerTom loves the city. He wouldn't be happy if he lived in a village.

  3. If I wanted to learn Spanish, to Mexico. (I/go)

  4. I haven't told Dad about the dent in the car. He'd be furious if . (he/know)

  5. If a pen, I could write down your address. (I/have)

  6. What would you do if the lottery? (you/win)

Point A · Exercise 100.2 · part 2 of 3

Put the verb in the correct form.

  1. It's not a very safe area. there at night if I were you. (I/not/walk)

  2. If nearer the coast, we would go swimming more often. (we/live)

  3. Pity you're only here for a day. great if you could stay the weekend. (it/be)

  4. I'm not going to buy the flat. I'd buy it if bigger. (the kitchen/be)

Point A · Exercise 100.2 · part 3 of 3

Put the verb in the correct form.

  1. I know nothing about computers. If my laptop stopped working, what to do. (I/not/know)

  2. If you could live anywhere in the world, where ? (you/live)

Point A · Exercise 100.4 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use your own ideas. The answers below are examples; yours will be different.

  1. Example

    I'd go to the doctor if ...

    I'd go to the doctor if I felt ill.

    Example answerI'd go to the doctor if I felt ill.

  2. If I could live in any city, ...

  3. I wouldn't be very happy if ...

  4. I'd buy a boat if ...

  5. If I saw a fight in the street, ...

Point A · Exercise 100.4 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use your own ideas. The answers below are examples; yours will be different.

  1. Our town would be nicer if ...

Point B of 3

if I was / if I were

After if, you can say was or were with I, he, she and it.

  • It's freezing. If I were you, I'd wear a hat. (or If I was you ...)
  • That garage overcharges everyone. I wouldn't take my car there if I was you. (or ... if I were you)
  • It would be nice if the bus were (or was) more reliable.

Point B · Extra practice

Put in was or were. Sometimes both are right.

  1. If I you, I'd take a coat.

  2. It would be nice if the weather warmer.

  3. If Ella here, she'd know what to do.

Point C of 3

if I have or if I had

if I have / if it is (it may happen) if I had / if it was (it is not happening)
I need to visit my uncle. If I have time, I'll go this afternoon. (= maybe I'll have time) I need to visit my uncle. If I had time, I'd go this afternoon. (= I haven't got time, so I won't go)
I like that lamp. I'll buy it if it isn't too expensive. (= maybe it isn't) I like that lamp, but it costs a fortune. I'd buy it if it wasn't so expensive. (= it is, so I won't)
I'll help you if I can. (= maybe I can) I'd help you if I could, but I can't.
  • If I have time, I'll go this afternoon.
  • If I had time, I'd go this afternoon.

Point C · Extra practice

Put the verb in brackets into the right form: have or had.

  1. I might see you later. If I time, I'll pop round. (have)

  2. I'm too busy this week. If I more time, I'd help you. (have)

  3. We haven't got a garden. If we a garden, we'd grow tomatoes. (have)

Put it together · Exercise 100.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences. Choose from the box and put the verb in the correct form: we (have) a bigger flat / I (watch) it / it (be) a bit cheaper / we (move) to a bigger flat / every day (be) the same / I (be) bored / we (put) some plants in it / the air (be) cleaner.

  1. Example

    I'd buy that coat if it was a bit cheaper.

    AnswerI'd buy that coat if it was a bit cheaper.

  2. If there was a good programme on TV tonight, .

  3. This room would look better if .

  4. If there wasn't so much traffic, .

  5. Life would be dull if .

Put it together · Exercise 100.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences. Choose from the box and put the verb in the correct form: we (have) a bigger flat / I (watch) it / it (be) a bit cheaper / we (move) to a bigger flat / every day (be) the same / I (be) bored / we (put) some plants in it / the air (be) cleaner.

  1. If I had nothing to do, .

  2. We could have friends to stay if .

  3. If we earned more money, .

Lesson 100 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: a person who ... a thing that/which ... (relative clauses 1)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. if + past, would + verb–Not checkedB. if I was / if I were–Not checkedC. if I have or if I had–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked

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