Form
if + past simple, would + base verb
| Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|
| If I had time, I would help. | If I didn't have time, I wouldn't help. | What would you do if you won? |
Use
- Unreal or unlikely present/future situations: If I won the lottery, I'd quit my job.
- Advice: If I were you, I'd apologize.
- Polite requests: It would be great if you could help me.
Was or were?
With be, were is used for all persons in formal English (If I were rich). In informal speech, was is common (If I was rich). With If I were you, always were.
Variations
- could / might instead of would: If I had a map, we could find the way.
- Order can change: I'd call her if I had her number (no comma).
Watch out
- Never would in the if-clause:
If I would be rich → If I were rich. - Don't use will in Type 2:
If I had time, I will help.
En español
Tipo 2: situaciones imaginarias o poco probables en el presente o futuro (if + pasado simple, would + verbo base). If I were you… = si yo fuera tú… Nunca uses would en la cláusula con if.
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