Clauses Index

I. There are three main uses of if ~clauses:

a) To suggest a general fact or something which is likely to happen. The Simple Present Tense or auxiliary will should be used.

• If you overcook it, it won't be any good.
• If you cook it well, it tastes very good.
• We won't go out tomorrow if it rains.

b) To talk about unreal or imaginary events. Use Simple Past Tense in the if ~clause.

• If the boss came in now, we would be in trouble.
• If I were you, I would not trust her.

c) To refer to the hypothetical past. Use Past Perfect Tense in the if ~clause.

• If I had known this earlier, I would have told you.
• If you had contacted me yesterday, I would have been able to help you. But now it's too late.

II. Leaving out if : formal inversion structures

In formal and literary styles, if can be dropped and an auxiliary verb put before the subject. This happens with were, had and should, but only very rarely with other auxiliary verbs.

Were you my child,.... (= If you were my child....)

Had I realized the consequences of my action, I would not have acted so hastily. (= If I had realized the consequence of my action, I ....)

Should you find any problems, contact me at once (= If you should find any problems, contact...)

III. Were to

There is a more formal way of talking about unreal or imaginary events, as well as a possible future situation by using "were"+ "to" -infinitive in the if ~clause:

If I were to lose my job, my life would be in crisis.

If we were to move north, we would be able to buy a bigger house.

However, this structure is not used with state verbs, for example:

û: If I were to know her name, I would tell you.
Ö : If I knew her name, I would tell you.

IV. Elliptical Structures

In formal style, subject + be is sometimes left out after if.

If in doubt, never hesitate to ask. (= If you are in doubt....)

If in danger, don't panic. (= If you / we are in danger,....)