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.)
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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.)
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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.)
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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...)
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