Usage: Tense [Should/Would]

Question

Which is the correct sentence? Please explain.

a) If I were you,  I should get  that car serviced.
b) If I were you,  I would have got  that car serviced.


Regards,
Brajesh

plsubbu · Answer

Whenever you are talking about a hypothetical situation, you should use  were  and  would . e.g. If I were rich, I would quit my job.

Based on this, b is right

b14kumar · Answer

Thanks plsubbu for your reply.
However I have still one more doubt.

Can't I say, "If I were rich, I  would have  quit my job."

So when do we use "would" and when do we use "would have"?

Regards,
Brajesh

TeHCM · Answer

b14kumar, maybe this will help you

 Present: 
 
Will + (base verb) 

E.g. If I win the lottery, I will give half the money to GMATClub

 Past tense: 

 Past tense + (would/could + base verb) 

E.g. If I won the lottery, I would give half the money to GMATClub

 Past perfect: 

 Past perfect + (would/could + have + past participle) 

E.g. If I had won the lottery, I would have given the money to GMATClub

b14kumar · Answer

Hi TeHCM,

Thanks for the reply.
Could you please tell me whether following sentences are right or wrong? 

a) "If I was a rich man, I would have quit my job"
b) "If I had been a rich man, I would have quit my job"

Also give some explainations.

Regards,
Brajesh

TeHCM · Answer

a) should read "If I were a rich man, I would have quit my job". Subjuntive sentences take "were" regardless.

b) I think its fine.

Usage: Tense [Should/Would]

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