structure · neutral

If + past simple, would + V

Band 4-5speakingtask2

Used to talk about unreal or unlikely present or future situations and their results.

Examples

“If I had more free time, I would learn another language.”

“If she knew his number, she would call him.”

“If I were taller, I would play basketball professionally.”

Band 8 sentence

“If governments invested more in renewable energy now, they would significantly reduce carbon emissions in the coming decades.”

Collocations

  • If + past simple, would + base verb

Common mistakes

If I will have time, I would help you.→If I had time, I would help you.

If I was rich, I would buy a car (in formal writing).→If I were rich, I would buy a car.

Say it for a higher band

5If + present simple, will + V→6If + was/were + V→7+If + past simple, would + V

Synonyms

If + were to + V

Easily confused

If + present simple, will + V (first conditional)

“If I have enough money, I will buy a new laptop.”

Related words

By the time + clause, clauseWhether + clause (or not)So + adjective + that + clauseEven if + clause, clauseSuch + (a/an) + noun + that + clauseIf + past perfect, would have + past participleOn the one hand + clause; on the other hand + clauseGiven that + clause, + clause

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In Complex sentences

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