QuickenBrain

If-sentences: real vs. unreal

VerbsRule 7 of 10

The rule

For a real future, use the present after if and "will" in the other half: "If it rains, we will cancel." For an unreal or imagined case, use the past after if and "would": "If I had more time, I would travel." Keep "will" and "would" out of the if-part in these patterns; only fixed polite phrases like "if you would follow me" break that rule.

Wrong and right

  1. Wrong If I will see him tomorrow, I will tell him.

    Right If I see him tomorrow, I will tell him.

  2. Wrong If I would have more money, I would travel more.

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

  3. Wrong If I am you, I would take the job.

    Right If I were you, I would take the job.

  4. Wrong If we had left earlier, we would catch the train.

    Right If we had left earlier, we would have caught the train.

  5. Wrong If you will heat ice, it melts.

    Right If you heat ice, it melts.