USING THE WORD "IF"
(Past) = past tense, (Present) = present tense, (Future) = future tense.
When something is true. (Present + Future)
- If we take(Present) this road, we will go past (Future) the hospital.
● The hospital is on this road. - If we continue(Present) working, we will finish(Future) the lesson today.
● We will be able to finish the lesson today if we do not stop working.
When something depends on something else (Present + Future)
- If you study(Present) the lessons, you will learn(Future) to speak English quickly.
● If you study, you will learn to speak English quickly.
● But if you don't study, you will not learn to speak English. - If we walk(Present) quickly, we will arrive(Future) on time.
● If we walk quickly, we will not be late.
● If we walk slowly, we will be late.
An unlikely possibility (Past + Future)
- If I had(Past) the time, I would go(Future) home.
● But I don't have the time, so I probably will not go home. - If we had(Past) enough money, we would build(Future) a new house.
● But we don't have enough money, so we will not build a house.