Uses of If and Wish ( Part – 2)

Uses of If and Wish ( Part – 2)

Study this example situation:

Sarah wants to phone Paul. But she can’t do this because she doesn’t his number.

She says : If I knew his number , I would phone him.

Sarah says : If I knew his number ……. This tells us that she doesn’t know his number. She is imagining the situation. The real situation is that she doesn’t know his number.

When you imagine a situation like this, you use if + past (if I knew / if you were / if we didn't etc.). But the meaning is present, not past:

Ø  Tom would read more if he had more time. (but he doesn't have much time)

Ø  If I didn't want to go to the party, I wouldn't go. (but I want to go) 

Ø  We wouldn't have any money if we didn't work. (but we work) 

Ø  If you were in my position, what would you do?

Ø  It's a pity you can't drive. It would be useful if you could.

We use the past in the same way after wish (I wish I knew / I wish you were etc.). We use wish to say that we regret something that something is not as we would like it to be:

Ø  I wish I knew Paul's phone number. (= I don't know it and I regret this) 

Ø  Do you ever wish you could fly? (you can't fly)

Ø  It rains a lot here. I wish it didn't rain so often.

Ø  It's very crowded here. I wish there weren't so many people. (there are a lot of people )

Ø  I wish I didn't have to work tomorrow, bat unfortunately I do.


Click here for Part One

If I were / if I was

After if and wish, you can use were instead of was (if I were ... / I wish it were etc.). I was / it was are also possible. So you can say:

Ø  If I were you, I wouldn't buy that coat.  or If I was you

Ø  I'd go out if it weren't so cold.   or           ... if it wasn't so cold.

Ø  I wish Carol were here.   I wish Carol was here.

We do not normally use would in the if-part of the sentence or after wish:

Ø  If I were -rich, I would have a yacht: (not If I would be rich) )

Ø   I wish I had something to read. (not I wish I would have)

Sometimes wish ... would is possible: I wish you would listen.

Could sometimes means 'would be able to' and sometimes 'was/were able to': 

Ø  You could get a better job            (you could get = you would be able to get) if you could use a computer. (you could use = you were able to use)