If can be at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle:
If...,	... (if at the beginning)
If we go by bus,	it wilJ be cheaper.
If you don't hurry,	you'll miss the train.
If you're hungry,	have something to eat.
If the phone rings,	can you answer it, please?
... if...   (if in the middle)
It will be'cheaper if we go by bus.
You'll miss the train if you don't hurry.
I'm going to the concert if I can get a ticket.
Do you mind if I use your phone? (= Is it OK if I use it?)
In conversation, we often use the if-part of the sentence alone:
• 'Are you going to the concert?'   'Yes, if I can get a ticket.'
If you see Ann tomorrow ... etc.
After if, we use the present {not 'will'). We say: if you see ... (not 'if you will see'):
• If you see Ann tomorrow, can you ask her to phone me?
• If I'm late this evening, don't wait for me. (not 'if I will be')
• What shall we do if it rains? (not 'if it will rain')
• If I don't feel well tomorrow, I'll stay at home.
if and when
If I go out = it is possible that I will go out, but I'm not sure:
• A: Are you going out later?
• B: Perhaps. If I go out, I'll close the window.
When I go out = I'm going out (for sure):
• A: Are you going out later?
• B: Yes, I am. When I go out, I'll close the window.
• When I get home this evening, I'm going to have a shower.
• If I'm late this evening, don't wait for me. (not 'When I'm late')
• We're going to play tennis if it doesn't rain, (not 'when it doesn't rain')
EXERCISES
Make sentences beginning with if. Choose from the boxes.
we can have lunch now you can have them I can lend you some you'll get a certificate you'll be late I'll throw it away we can talk later you can do it again
1 If you don't Hurry, youU be Late,
2 If you pass...............................................................
3 If...................................................................................
4 ........................................................................................
6 ..........................
7 ..........................
8...........................
!   Which is right?
1 If I'm / I'll be late this evening, don't wait for me.     I'm is right
2 Will you write to me if 1 give / I'll give you my address?
3 If there is /will be a fire, the alarm will ring.
4 If I don't see you tomorrow morning, I phone / I'll phone you in the evening.
5 I'm / I'll be surprised if Martin and Julia get / will get married.
6 Do you go / Will you go to the party if they invite / they'll invite you?
I   Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.
1 I'm going to the concert if...!.. 9^.& ticket.....
2 If you don't hurry JMl&JB&gS M%. k<W,.....
3 I don't want to go swimming if.................................................................................................................................................
4 If you go to bed early tonight, ...................................................................................................................................................
5 Turn the television off if.................................................................................................................................................................
6 Tina won't pass her exams if........................................................................................................................................................
7 If I have time tomorrow,................................................................................................................................................................
8 We can go to the beach tomorrow if....................................................................................................................................
\   Putin if or when.
1 }.£.. I'm late this evening, don't wait for me.
2 I'm going to do some shopping now. .......................1 come back, we can have lunch.
3 I'm thinking of going to see Tim........................I go, will you come with me?
4 .......................you don't want to go out tonight, we can stay at home.
5 Do you mind.......................I close the window?
6 John is still at school........................he leaves school, he wants to go to university.
7 Shall we have a picnic tomorrow......................the weather is good?
8 We're going to Madrid next week. We haven't got anywhere to stay — we hope to find a hotel .......................we arrive. I don't know what we'll do.......................we don't find anywhere.
111
If+
you pass the exam you fail the exam you don't want this magazin you want those pictures you're busy now you're hungry you need money