English grammar
Conditions without if: Had I known… / Were I to… / Should someone…; with + noun
Express a condition compactly, without if: Had I known…, Were I to…, Should someone…, with + noun.
From the scene Had I known…
In short
In careful speech, put had, were or should first instead of if: Had I known… With + noun is the casual version.
Your turn
Which one goes with unlikely: were + subject + to + verb?
Options: had I known, I'd have gone myself · should someone ask him very tactfully... · were I to ask him, he'd put my rent up
Show answer
unlikely: were + subject + to + verb → were I to ask him, he'd put my rent up
How it works
In careful or dramatic speech you can drop if and put the verb before the subject.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
A year? (blank) to wait that long, the baby would arrive before the café.
Options: If we · Were we · We were
Show answer
A year? Were we to wait that long, the baby would arrive before the café.
¿Un año? De esperar tanto, el bebé llegaría antes que el café.
Good to know
Had I known (= if I had known), were I to ask him (= if I were to ask him), should someone ask him (= if someone happened to ask him).
Good to know
Only had, were and should can do this. In everyday speech, with + noun is the short cut: with the money (= if I had the money).
past, didn't happen: had + subject + past participle had I known, I'd have gone myself
Elena
Had I known, I'd have gone to the bank myself. I know the manager.
De haberlo sabido, habría ido yo al banco. Conozco al director.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), I'd have gone to the bank myself. I know the manager.
Options: Should someone ask him very tactfully · Had I known · He'd put my rent up
Show answer
Elena
Had I known, I'd have gone to the bank myself. I know the manager.
De haberlo sabido, habría ido yo al banco. Conozco al director.
unlikely: were + subject + to + verb were I to ask him, he'd put my rent up
Javi
Don't look at me. Were I to ask him, he'd put my rent up.
A mí ni me miren. De pedírselo yo, me sube el alquiler.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Don't look at me. (blank).
Options: Were I to ask him, he'd put my rent up · Had I known, I'd have gone myself · Should someone ask him very tactfully
Show answer
Javi
Don't look at me. Were I to ask him, he'd put my rent up.
A mí ni me miren. De pedírselo yo, me sube el alquiler.
if by any chance: should + subject + verb should someone ask him very tactfully...
Elena
Should someone ask him very tactfully...
De pedírselo alguien con mucho tacto...
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)...
Options: Had I known, I'd have gone myself · He'd put my rent up · Should someone ask him very tactfully
Show answer
Elena
Should someone ask him very tactfully...
De pedírselo alguien con mucho tacto...
everyday short cut: with + noun with the money, I'd rent it tomorrow
Your turn
What goes with with the money, I'd rent it tomorrow?
Options: unlikely: were + subject + to + verb · everyday short cut: with + noun · past, didn't happen: had + subject + past participle
Show answer
with the money, I'd rent it tomorrow → everyday short cut: with + noun
money the bank lends you a loan
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| past, didn't happen: had + subject + past participle | had I known, I'd have gone myself |
|---|---|
| unlikely: were + subject + to + verb | were I to ask him, he'd put my rent up |
| if by any chance: should + subject + verb | should someone ask him very tactfully... |
| everyday short cut: with + noun | with the money, I'd rent it tomorrow |
| money the bank lends you | a loan |
More lines from the story
- TomásA year? Were we to wait that long, the baby would arrive before the café.¿Un año? De esperar tanto, el bebé llegaría antes que el café.
- TomásGood news: the bank is giving us the loan. But only half.Buenas noticias: el banco nos da el préstamo. Pero solo la mitad.
- JaviRelax, brother. With the shop, the rest will follow.Tranquilo, hermano. Teniendo el local, lo demás llega solo.