USING THE WORD "IF" (continued)
(Past) = past tense, (Present) = present tense, (Future) = future tense.
An event that did not happen (Past + Past)
- If they had had(Past) the time, they would have gone(Past) home.
● But they did not have the time, so they did not go home. - If I had fixed(Past) my car yesterday, I would have arrived(Past) on time.
● But I did not fix my car yesterday, so I was late.
Something that is contrary to what is happening (Past + would, could, or might)
- If we were driving(Past) the car, we could take the other road.
● But we are not driving the car, so we cannot take the other road. - If we had worked(Past) more quickly, we would already be finished.
● But we worked slowly, so we are not finished. - If I had read(Past) the book, I might have understood the lesson.
● But I did not read the book, so I do not understand the lesson.