ef + Past Subjunctive
Unreal Conditions
ef + past subjunctive talks about something imagined: Ef ég hefði tíma myndi ég læra meira (If I had time, I would study more).
How It Works
Real or unreal? Compare:
- Ef það rignir förum við ekki út. (If it rains, we won't go out.) A real possibility: indicative.
- Ef ég ætti peninga myndi ég kaupa hús. (If I had money, I would buy a house.) Imagined: past subjunctive.
The ef-clause. Use the past subjunctive of its verb: ef ég væri (if I were), ef ég hefði (if I had), ef hann vissi (if he knew), ef þú kæmir (if you came). In careful Icelandic, myndi stays out of the ef-clause: ef ég vissi það is preferred to ef ég myndi vita það, which you may hear in casual speech.
The main clause. Two choices mean the same thing:
- myndi + infinitive: Ef ég væri þú myndi ég fara heim.
- The verb's own past subjunctive: Ef ég væri þú færi ég heim.
With common verbs the one-word form is very natural: það væri gaman (that would be fun), hann yrði reiður (he would be angry). With most other verbs, myndi + infinitive is the easy, safe choice.
Word order. When the ef-clause comes first, it fills the first place, so the main clause starts with its verb (verb-second word order): Ef ég hefði tíma myndi ég læra meira. The main clause can also come first: Ég myndi kaupa hús ef ég ætti peninga.
About the past. For something that did not happen in the past (if I had known), use hefði + supine in both parts. See ef + hefði. In careful style the verb can also open the condition without ef: Væri ég ríkur ... See conditions without ef.
Examples (6)
- Ef ég hefði tíma myndi ég læra meira.
If I had time, I would study more.
Word by Word: If I had time would I learn more.
The ef-clause comes first, so myndi comes before ég.
- Ef ég væri þú færi ég heim.
If I were you, I would go home.
Word by Word: If I were you went (subj.) I home.
færi is the past subjunctive of fara; Ef ég væri þú myndi ég fara heim means the same.
- Ég myndi kaupa hús ef ég ætti peninga.
I would buy a house if I had money.
Word by Word: I would buy house if I owned money.
- Ef hann vissi þetta yrði hann reiður.
If he knew this, he would be angry.
Word by Word: If he knew this became (subj.) he angry.
yrði is the past subjunctive of verða.
- Það væri gaman ef þú kæmir með.
It would be fun if you came along.
Word by Word: It were fun if you came (subj.) with.
- Hvað myndir þú gera ef þú ynnir í lottóinu?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Word by Word: What would you do if you won (subj.) in the lottery?
ynnir is the past subjunctive of vinna (to win), in the þú form.
Common Mistakes
Using the past indicative for an imagined present.
Ef ég hafði tíma myndi ég læra meira.Ef ég hefði tíma myndi ég læra meira.hafði is the ordinary past (had, back then). To imagine having time now, use the past subjunctive hefði.
Using the present tense for an unreal situation.
Ef ég er þú myndi ég fara heim.Ef ég væri þú myndi ég fara heim.You can never really be the other person, so the ef-clause needs the past subjunctive væri.
Keeping the subject first after a fronted ef-clause.
Ef ég hefði tíma ég myndi læra meira.Ef ég hefði tíma myndi ég læra meira.The ef-clause takes the first place, so the verb of the main clause comes next, before the subject.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Unreal conditions build on ef and the past subjunctive.
Related Patterns
- myndiWould (Myndi)
myndi + infinitive is the usual way to say would in the main clause.
Level 3 - ef + hefði + SupinePast Unreal Conditions
The past version: something that did not happen (if I had known).
Level 4 - Conditional Clauses Omitting This Word: efConditions Without Ef
In careful style the verb can replace ef: Væri ég ríkur ...
Level 5 - The Verb Comes Second
Explains why the main clause starts with its verb after a fronted ef-clause.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice ef + Past Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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