Unit
38
If I do ... and If I did ...
Compare these examples:
(1) Lisa has lost her watch. She tells Sue:
LiSA: I've lost my watch. Have you seen it anywhere? SUE: No, but if 1 find it. Tit tell you.
In this example, Sue feels there is a real possibility that she will find the watch. So she says: if 1 find... ,Hl... .
(2) Joe says:
If i found a wallet in the street, Id take it to the police station.
This is a different type of situation. Here, Joe doesn't expect to find a wallet in the street: he is imagining a situation that will probably not happen. So he says: if I found ... , I'd (= I would) ... . (not if 1 find ... , I'll ...»
When you imagine something like this, you use if + past (if I found / if there was / if we didn't etc.). But the meaning is not past:
□ What would you do if you won a million pounds? (we don't really expect this to happen)
□ I don't really want to go to their party, but I probably will go. They'd be upset if I didn't go.
□ If there was (or were) an election tomorrow, who would you vote for?
For if ... was/were, see Unit 39C.
We do not normally use would in the if-part of the sentence:
C I'd be very frightened if somebody pointed a gun at mc. [not if somebody would pointl
□ If I didn't go to their party, they'd be upset, (not If I wouldn't go)
But you can use if... would when you ask somebody to do something:
□ (from a formal letter) 1 would be grateful if you would let me know your decision as soon as possible.
In the other part of the sentence (not the if-part) we use would fdl / wouldn't:
□ If you took more exercise, you'd (= you would) feel better, n I'm not tired. If I went to bed now, I wouldn't sleep.
C Would you mind if I used your phone?
Could and might are also possible:
□ If you took more exercise, you might feel better. (= it is possible that you would feel betterl
□ If it stopped raining, we could go out. (= we would be able to go out)
Do not use when in sentences like those on this page:
□ They'd be upset if I didn't go to their party, (not when I didn't go)
□ What would you do if you were bitten by a snake? (not when you were bittenl
76
Will — Units 21-22 If and when -* Unit 2SD Would-* Unit 36 If I knew — Unit 39 If I had known -* Unit 40
Exercises Unit 38
38.1 Put the verb into the correct form.
1 They would be offended if I.....d^JlL.J0......to their party, (not / go)
2 If you took more exercise, vou fat.....   better, (feel)
3 If they offered me the job, I think 1 ............................................................... it. (take)
4 A lot of people would be out of work if the car factory............................................................... . (close down)
5 If 1 sold my car. I ............................................................... much money for it. (not / get)
6 (in a lift) What would happen if somebody...............................................................that red button? (press)
I don't think there's any chance that Gary and Emma will get married. I'd be absolutely astonished if they.....----------.......---------------------............ (do)
8 Liz gave me this ring. She...............................................................very upset if I lost it. (be)
9 Dave and Kate are expecting us. They would be very disappointed if we _______......_..................................... . (not/come)
10 Would Steve mind if I ...............................................................his bike without asking him? (borrow)
11 What would you do if somebody............................................................... in here with a gun? (walk)
12 I'm sure Sue................................................................................ if you explained the situation to her. (understand)
38.2 You ask a friend to imagine these situations. You ask What would you do if ... ?
1 (imagine - you win a lot of money)
What would ifl(m do i/f ypu. wow m tot of wowe^?......____________......._____________________..........
2 i imagine - you lose your passport)
What...............................-..........m...........................................................................„..........................................-.........................................................
3 (imagine - there's a fire in the building)
4 (imagine - you're in a lift and it stops between floors)
38.3  Answer the questions in the way shown.
1 A: Shall we catch the 10.30 train?
b: No. (arrive too early)    If. we caught tint 10.30 .tr&uv.wfr'd. arrive tMiiitfMfli&<.
2 a: Is Kevin going to take his driving test?
b: No. i faili If he....................................................................................................................................................................................
3 a: Why don't we stay at a hotel?
b: No. (cost too much i If............................................................................................................................................................
4 a: Is Sally going to apply for the job?
b: No. (not / get it) If.......................................................................................................................................................................
5 A: Let's tell them the truth.
b; No. (not / believe us) If..........~.........................................-.......................■..................................................-..........................
6 a: Why don't we invite Bill to the party? b: No. (have to invite his friends too)
38.4  Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.
1 If you took more exercise,.....aP.w.'.d..,.f^....beM«f.,,
2 I'd be very angry if................................................................„.........
3 If I didn't go to work tomorrow,........................................
4 Would you go to the party if..................................................
5 If you bought some new clothes, .......................................
6 Would you mind if............................................................................