We can't use would after "If"

[Lechi]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #120 "Conditional Tenses", question 1

If I ......... you, I wouldn't risk it.

(a) had been
(b) am
(c) would be
(d) were

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #120 "Conditional Tenses", answer 1

If I were you, I wouldn't risk it.

Correct answer: (d) were

Your answer was: incorrect
If I would be you, I wouldn't risk it.
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We can't use would after "If"

Lechi

[Alan]

Hi Lechi,

The use here of were is an example of the so-called past subjunctive, which is rare in English. It is also often called the imaginary past instead of the real past because it is a supposition -If I were you.The use of would does not usually come after if but in the second half of a conditional sentence as in: If I won (subjunctive/unreal past) the lottery, I would stop working.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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