If I had more time, I would …

Examples

1. If I had more time, I would learn to swim.

2. If I were you, I would ask for a receipt.

3. She would move abroad if she spoke the language.

4. What would you do if you lost your job?

Common mistakes

• ✗Wrong: If I would have more money, I would travel.

  ✓Right: If I had more money, I would travel.

  would belongs in the result half only, never after if.

• ✗Wrong: If I was you, I would complain.

  ✓Right: If I were you, I would complain.

  The fixed advice form uses were for every person.

• ✗Wrong: If she had a car, she will drive there.

  ✓Right: If she had a car, she would drive there.

  An imagined situation takes would, not will.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AIf I knew her number, I will call her.
   2. BIf I would know her number, I would call her.
   3. CIf I know her number, I would call her.
   4. DIf I knew her number, I would call her.
   Show answer

   Answer: D If I knew her number, I would call her.

   if + past simple, then would + base verb.

2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AIf I were you, I will see a doctor.
   2. BIf I would be you, I would see a doctor.
   3. CIf I were you, I would see a doctor.
   4. DIf I am you, I would see a doctor.
   Show answer

   Answer: C If I were you, I would see a doctor.

   If I were you is fixed, and the advice follows with would.

3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AWe would bought it if it were cheaper.
   2. BWe would buy it if it were cheaper.
   3. CWe would buy it if it would be cheaper.
   4. DWe will buy it if it were cheaper.
   Show answer

   Answer: B We would buy it if it were cheaper.

   The result half can come first; the forms do not change.

4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AIf he would practise more, he would play very well.
   2. BIf he practised more, he will play very well.
   3. CIf he practises more, he would play very well.
   4. DIf he practised more, he would play very well.
   Show answer

   Answer: D If he practised more, he would play very well.

   An unlikely situation takes the past simple after if.

5. 5Fill in the gap.

   If I _____ the answer, I would tell you.

   1. Ahave known
   2. Bknow
   3. Cknew
   4. Dwould know
   Show answer

   Answer: C If I knew the answer, I would tell you.

   Past simple after if marks the situation as unreal.

6. 6Fill in the gap.

   She _____ take the job if the pay were better.

   1. Awould to
   2. Bwill
   3. Cwould
   4. Dis going to
   Show answer

   Answer: C She would take the job if the pay were better.

   The result half takes would + the base verb.

7. 7Fill in the gap.

   If I _____ you, I would not sign that.

   1. Awill be
   2. Bam
   3. Cwould be
   4. Dwere
   Show answer

   Answer: D If I were you, I would not sign that.

   If I were you is the fixed advice formula.

8. 8Fill in the gap.

   What would you say if he _____ you to stay?

   1. Aasks
   2. Bwill ask
   3. Casked
   4. Dwould ask
   Show answer

   Answer: C What would you say if he asked you to stay?

   The if half takes the past simple.

9. 9Put the words in the right order.

   If I lived nearer I would walk to work

   Show answer

   Answer: If I lived nearer I would walk to work.

   The condition comes first, then the imagined result.

10. 10Put the words in the right order.

    She would be happier if she changed jobs

    Show answer

    Answer: She would be happier if she changed jobs.

    The result may open the sentence and if follows.