When the cause and the result are in different times

Examples

1. If I had saved more, I would not be worrying about the rent now.

2. She would be a doctor now if she had stayed at university.

3. If he were more organised, he would not have missed the deadline.

4. We would not be in this position if anybody had read the contract.

Common mistakes

• ✗Wrong: If I had taken that job, I would have lived in Bristol now.

  ✓Right: If I had taken that job, I would be living in Bristol now.

  now makes the result present, so the result half drops have.

• ✗Wrong: If she was not so proud, she would have asked.

  ✓Right: If she were not so proud, she would have asked.

  For an unreal present state, formal English uses were for every subject.

• ✗Wrong: If I would have listened, I would not be here.

  ✓Right: If I had listened, I would not be here.

  The condition never takes would, whatever time the result is in.

Practice questions

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

1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AIf we bought the flat, we would have paid half this rent.
   2. BIf we had bought the flat, we would be paying half this rent.
   3. CIf we had bought the flat, we would have paid half this rent now.
   4. DIf we would have bought the flat, we would be paying half this rent.
   Show answer

   Answer: B If we had bought the flat, we would be paying half this rent.

   Past decision, present consequence.

2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AIf he were not afraid of flying, he would have come with us.
   2. BIf he had not been afraid of flying, he would be coming with us.
   3. CIf he was not afraid of flying, he would come with us.
   4. DIf he is not afraid of flying, he would have come.
   Show answer

   Answer: A If he were not afraid of flying, he would have come with us.

   A permanent present quality explaining a past action.

3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AI would not have been so tired if I go to bed earlier.
   2. BI am not so tired if I had gone to bed earlier.
   3. CI would not be so tired if I had gone to bed earlier.
   4. DI would not be so tired if I would have gone to bed earlier.
   Show answer

   Answer: C I would not be so tired if I had gone to bed earlier.

   The result is now; the cause is last night.

4. 4Fill in the gap.

   If I _____ the warning, I would not be paying this fine.

   1. Asaw
   2. Bhad seen
   3. Chave seen
   4. Dwould have seen
   Show answer

   Answer: B If I had seen the warning, I would not be paying this fine.

   The condition is an unreal past.

5. 5Fill in the gap.

   She _____ in charge now if the vote had gone the other way.

   1. Awill be
   2. Bis
   3. Cwould be
   4. Dwould have been
   Show answer

   Answer: C She would be in charge now if the vote had gone the other way.

   now puts the result in the present.

6. 6Fill in the gap.

   If he _____ a better listener, that meeting would have gone differently.

   1. Awould be
   2. Bwere
   3. Cis
   4. Dhad been being
   Show answer

   Answer: B If he were a better listener, that meeting would have gone differently.

   A present quality with a past result.

7. 7Fill in the gap.

   We _____ this conversation if somebody had checked the dates.

   1. Aare not having
   2. Bwould not be having
   3. Cwill not have
   4. Dwould not have had
   Show answer

   Answer: B We would not be having this conversation if somebody had checked the dates.

   Past cause, present conversation.

8. 8Fill in the gap.

   If I _____ not so tired, I would have finished it last night.

   1. Aam
   2. Bwould be
   3. Cwere
   4. Dhad been
   Show answer

   Answer: D If I had been not so tired, I would have finished it last night.

   Last night makes the state past as well here.

9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

   Which sentence is wrong?

   1. AIf they had invested then, they would be rich today.
   2. BIf they had invested then, they would have been rich today.
   3. CIf they had invested then, they would have made money.
   4. DThey would be rich today if they had invested then.
   Show answer

   Answer: B If they had invested then, they would have been rich today.

   today makes the result present, so have must go.

10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. AWere I you, I would say nothing.
    2. BIf I was you, I would have said nothing.
    3. CIf I were you, I would say nothing.
    4. DIf I were you, I would have said nothing.
    Show answer

    Answer: B If I was you, I would have said nothing.

    Unreal present with I takes were in careful English.