1

Unit
If w eg o ...
If you see... etc.
We'll get there more
quickly if we go by taxi
If can be at the beginning o f a sentence or in the m iddle:
If at the beginning
If we go by bus,
If you don't hurry,
If you're hungry,
If the phone rings,
it will be cheaper,
you'll miss the train,
have som ething to eat.
can you answer it, please?
if in the m iddle
It will be cheaper
You'll miss the train
I'm going to the concert
Is it O K
if we go by bus.
if you don't hurry,
if I can get a ticket,
if I use yo ur phone?
In conversation, w e often use the if- p art o f the sentence alone:
'Are you going to the concert?'
'Yes, if I can get a ticket.'
If you see Ann tom orrow ... etc.
After if, we use the present (n o t will). W e say 'if you see ...' (n o t if you will see):
If you see Ann tom orro w, can you ask her to call me?
O If I'm late this evening, don't w ait for me. (n o t if I will be)
W h at shall we do if it rains? (n o t if it will rain)
If I don't feel well tom orrow, I'll stay at hom e.
if and when
If I go o ut = it is possible that I will go out, but I'm no t sure:
a: Are you going o ut later?
b: M aybe. If I go out, I'll close the w ind o w s.
W hen I go o ut = I'm going o ut (for sure):
a: Are you going o ut later?
b: Yes, I am. W hen I go out, I'll close the w ind o w s.
Co m p are when and if:
W hen I get hom e this evening, I'm going to have a shower.
If I'm late this evening, don't w ait for me. (n o t W hen I'm late)
We're going to play tennis if it doesn't rain. (n o t when it doesn't rain)
208 ( when ^ Unit 98 if I had / if we w en t ... etc. 4 Unit 100