Conjunctions and clauses - If I had …If we went …etc.

Question 1

• If he HAD the money, he WOULD buy a fast car.

→ Usually had is past, but in this sentence had is NOT past. If he had the money = if he had the money now (but he doesn’t have it).

 I         had / knew / lived (etc.) … ,             I      would If   you   didn’t have / didn’t know (etc.) … , you  wouldn't
 it        were...                                              it      could
 they   could....                                            they couldn't

Answer 1

→ You can say:
…If he had the money, he would buy a car.
or
…He would buy a car if he had the money.

→ I’d / she’d / they’d etc. = I would / she would / they would etc.

…I don’t know the answer. If I knew the answer, I’d tell you.
…It’s raining, so we’re not going out. We’d get wet if we went out.
…Jane lives in a city.She likes cities. She wouldn’t be happy if she lived in the country.
…If you didn’t have a job, what would you do? (but you have a job)
…I’m sorry I can’t help you. I’d help you if I could.(but I can’t)

Question 2

If (I) was/were …
→ You can say:
if I/he/she/it WAS
          or
if I/he/she/it WERE

Answer 2

…It’s not a very nice place. I wouldn’t go there if I were you. (OR … if I was you)
…It would be nice if the weather was better. (OR… if the weather were better)
…What would Tom do if he were here? (OR … if he was here)

Question 3

Compare:
if I have / if it is etc.
vs
if I had / if it was etc

Answer 3

…I must go and see Helen. If I have time, I will go today.
(= MAYBE I’ll have time, so maybe I’ll go)
…I like that jacket. I’ll buy it if it isn’t too expensive.
(= MAYBE it will not be too expensive)
…I’ll help you if I can. (= MAYBE I can)

…I must go and see Helen. If I had time, I would go today. (= I don’t have time today, so I will not go)
…I like this jacket, but it’s very expensive. I’d buy it if it wasn’t so expensive. (= it is expensive, so I’m not going to buy it)
…I’d help you if I could, but I can’t.