Grammar Notes

1. Tense Usage in Conditional Sentences
A. To express a true or probable situation In the present or future
- Use the simple present in the if-clause.
- Use the simple present or the future tense with will in the result clause.
- If l get to work early, i usually check my e-mails first.
- If you see Paul, tell him to come to my office.
- If I have time this evening, I will send the results.
B. To express an untrue or imaginary situation in the present or future
- Use the past tense in the if-clause.
- Use would/could/might + base form of verb in the result clause.
a. If he was qualified, he might apply for that position.
(He is not qualified, so he will not apply.)
b. I would help you if I knew how.
(I cannot help you because I do not know how.)
Note: Were is often used instead of was after if in both formal and informal English.This is, in fact, a form of the subjunctive.
- If I were in charge of this project, it would be a disaster.
C. To express an untrue situation in the past
- Use the past perfect tense in the if-clause.
- Use would/couId/might + have + past participle in the result clause.
a. If I had known the regional manager would be coming, I would’ve asked the staff to pay more attention to cleaning the store.
(I didn't know the manager was coming.)
b. If I had been offered a position in a different department, I would have taken it without hesitation.
(I wasn't offered the position.)

2. Tenses in As If Clauses

- Used when the speaker wants to relate one imaginary, but possible, situation to another.

- Used commonly with verbs of observation in the first part of the clause.

- Verb in as-if clause must be subjunctive: as if + l/you/he/she/it/they(subject) + were/had + past participle.

- Kyle seemed as if he were about to say something.
(Kyle didn’t say anything.)

- The customer looked as if she had been to the store before.
(She had never been to the store before.)

3. Tenses in / Wish Clause

- This clause is used when the speaker wants something to be the opposite of reality.

- It can also be used when one makes wishes about the future.

- l wish-clause is made most often using these two tenses: l wish + clause subject + would or I wish + clause subject + past perfect

a. I wish she had gotten the job.
(She did not get the job.)

b. I wish John would get the promotion.
(I want John to get the promotion.)

4. Omission of if

Omit if when using were + subject, had + subject + past participle, or should + subject + base form of verb where the subject and the verb are inverted.

a. Were l the president of the company, I would consider changing some regulations.
(lf l were...)

b. Had we known we were paid to work weekends, I believe many of us would’ve opted to work.
(If we had known . . .)

c. Should I see the accountant, I will ask him to give me the budget figures.
(lfl should see...)