LVT Conditionals

If you'd told me you were coming, ...

• I can get some food in.

• I'd have found us something to eat.

• I made a lovely dish.

Answer explanation

Hypothetical past situations: IF + past perfect (had + verb in past participle) + would have + verb in past participle.

If I had known you were coming, I would have met you at the station. (but I didn't know, so I didn't meet you there)

If you're too ill to come, ...

• I'll come over and see you.

• I wouldn't have done all this for you.

• I asked someone else.

Answer explanation

Real situations: IF + present + future.

Here we think that the outcome (result) is really possible.

If you keep driving like that, you are going to have an accident.

If I'd known you weren't coming, ...

• I wouldn't be very upset.

• I would like to know why.

• I wouldn't have gone to so much trouble.

Answer explanation

Hypothetical past situations: IF + past perfect (had + verb in past participle) + would have + verb in past participle.

These refer to past events and consider a different condition and outcome.

If I had known you were coming, I would have met you at the station. (but I didn't know, so I didn't meet you there)

If only you'd come ...

• I'll be the happiest girl alive.

• I'd have had a lovely time.

• I would look forward to it.

Answer explanation

If only:

This adds emphasis to hypothetical situations. With past events it adds a sense of regret. The second part of the sentence is often left out.

IF only + past simple...

IF only + past perfect (had [not] + verb in past participle) + would [not] have + verb in past participle.

If only I had enough time!

If only I hadn't drunk too much, this wouldn't have happened!

If you do decide to come...

• the party's always a success.

• I won't be coming either.

• let me know.

Answer explanation

With modals - to express possible situations in the present.

IF + present , modal (should, may, can...) + verb in bare infinitive

IF you do decide to come, (you should) let me know.

Although in this specific sentence there is no modal auxiliary it could be inferred...

If you really don't want to come ....

• I'll understand.

• I can't be sure.

• tell me tomorrow.

Answer explanation

Real situations: IF + present + future.

Here we think that the outcome (result) is really possible.

If you see Mark, tell him I'll ring him tomorrow.

That was a lucky escape! If I (fall) ..... , I'd have broken my leg.

• had fallen

• fell

• will fall

• fall

If you (finish) ..... with my pen, I'd like it back please.

• finish

• had finished

• have finished

• would finish

Answer explanation

Remember: the present perfect may express a very recent past action!

"I've left my wallet in the car. I'm going back to get it."

Unless Pete (try) ..... harder , he won't win the competition.

• tries

• tried

• will try

• doesn't try

Answer explanation

Unless as an alternative to if: Unless = only if not.

I'll go ahead and get the tickets unless you call me this afternoon.

= If you call me this afternoon, I won't get the tickets.

If you took more time over your work, you (not make) ..... so many mistakes.

• won't make

• wouldn't make

• hadn't made

• wouldn't have made

Answer explanation

Hypothetical situations:

These are unreal or imaginary situations.

IF + past + would + verb in bare infitive.

The verb "be" usually takes the form "were" for all persons in these sentences (in written form), though "was" is used in everyday speech.

If I knew the answer, I would tell you.

If I was having a party, I wouldn't invite Maria.