A. Study this example situation:

Sue wants to phone Paul but she can't do this because she doesn't know his number.
She says: If I knew his number, I would phone him.

Sue 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:

Example:
* Tom would read more if he had more time. (but he doesn't have much time)
* If I didn't want to go to the party, I wouldn't go. (but I want to go)
* If you were in my position, what would you do?
* It's a pity you can't drive. It would be useful if you could.

B. 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:

Example:
* I wish I knew Paul's phone number. (= I don't know it and I regret this)
* Do you ever wish you could fly? (you can't fly)
* It rains a lot here. I wish it didn't rain so often.
* It's very crowded here. I wish there weren't so many people. (but there are a lot of people)
* I wish I didn't have to work. (but I have to work)

C. After IF and WISH, you can use WERE instead of WAS (if I were, I wish it were, etc.)
So you can say:

* If I were you, I wouldn't buy that coat. (or If I was you...)
* I'd go out if it weren't raining. (or if it wasn't raining.)
* I wish it were possible. (or I wish it was possible.)

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

* If I were rich, I would have a yacht. (not 'If I would be rich')
* I wish I had something to read. (not 'I wish I would have')

Sometimes WISH + WOULD is possible ( 'I wish you would listen' ).

E. Note that COULD sometimes means 'WOULD BE ABLE TO' and sometimes 'WAS/WERE ABLE TO':
* You could get a job more easily. (you could get = you would be able to get)
* If you could speak a foreign language. (you could speak = you were able to speak)

Substitution Drill

* Tom read more he more time.
* Do you ever you fly?
* It's very crowded here. I there n't so many people.
* It's a pity you can't drive. It be useful you could.
* I rich, I have a yacht.

Gap fill exercise

1. I __________ you if I could, but I'm afraid I can't. (help)
2. We would need a car if we ____________ in the country. (live)
3. If we had the choice, we ______________ in the country. (live)
4. This soup isn't very good. It ___________ better if it wasn't so salty. (taste)
5. I wouldn't mind living in England if the weather ___________ better. (be)

Exercise 2: Write a sentence with IF ... for each situation.

1. He doesn't speak very clearly, that's why people don't understand him. If he __________ more ____________ people ______________ .
2. That book is too expensive, so I'm not going to buy it. If the book ___________, I_____________ .
3. We don't go out very often because we can't afford it. If ______________________________.
4. It's raining, so we can't have lunch in the garden. If the rain ____________________.
5. I have to work tomorrow evening, so I can't meet you. If __________________________________.

Jay and Amy are walking downtown.

Jay : Look there, Amy. There's a man with a camera.
Amy: Yes, he seems to be taking pictures of those huge buldings.
Jay : That's right. Do you think he's a professional?
Amy: Judging from the camera and the other gadgets he's using, I think he is a professional.
Jay : I have always been fascinated with photography. I wish I would be like him, too!
Amy: Really? You never told me about that before.
Jay : If I could get a job soon, I would buy a professional camera and enroll in a photography class.
Amy: You're serious aren't you?.
Jay : I am. It has always been my wish to be a photographer and have my own photo exhibit.
Amy: If I were you, I'd start saving for the camera now. It's quite expensive, you know.
Jay : I was thinking of the same thing.
Amy: I wish you would be succesfull in this new endeavour.
Jay : Thank you.

1. Do you find Photography interesting?

2. When taking pictures, what are your favourite subjects?

3. Do you have your own camera? What type is it? When did you buy it?

4. When reading a magazine, do you notice the articles first, or the pictures?