Main clause: 'would/should' likely outcome

I would (or should)

ready we would (or should) go

you/they (etc) would

14.13.1 'If I w ere/ If I was'

Were can be used in place of was after If I/he/she/it. There is no difference in meaning, but were is more formal, particularly when we are making doubtful statements:

If I was/were better qualified, I' d apply for the job However, were is preferable in purely imaginary statements:

If I were the Queen of Sheba, you'd be King Solomon

14.13.2 'If I were you/If I were in your position' (Not "was*)
We often use these expressions to give advice:

If I were you/in your position, I'd accept their offer (This means: You should accept their offer.) We can also use these expressions to refer to somebody else: If I were Jane/in Jane's position, I'd walk out on him

14.13.3 'If it were not for/Were it not for' (Not *was*)
This expression explains why something has or hasn't happened:

If it weren't for your help, I would still be homeless In formal contexts, If it were not for can be expressed as Were it not for, with the negative in full (Not * Weren't it*):

Were it not for your help, I would still be homeless If it were not for and Were it not for are often followed by the fact that.

Were it not for the fact that you helped me, I would be homeless

14.14 Type 2, Variation 2: 'If + past + modal

'If'-clause: past tense condition to be satisfied

If he knew the facts, If he could get the facts,

he

main clause: modal [> 11.1] likely outcome

could tell us what to do

might

Another modal can replace would in Type 2 conditionals, e.g. when we feel the imaginary consequences are less likely, or when we are referring to ability [> 11.14], possibility [> 11.28], etc.:

condition to be satisfied If he were here If he were here If he failed,

Likely outcome

he could help us (ability)

he might help us (possibility)

he ought to/should try again (duty)

Progressive and perfect combinations with modals are possible: If she were here now she could be helping us If he was in New York, he could have met my sister If they were in the army they would have been fighting in the jungle most of the time

Type 3 conditionals

14.15 Type 2, Variation 3: 'If + were to/was to' + 'would', etc.

If-clause: 'were to/was to' main clause: 'would/should', etc.