"if they don't" vs "if they didn't"

Question

"if they don't" vs "if they didn't"

The phrases "if they don't" and "if they didn't" have different meanings and are used in different contexts. "If they don't" is used to talk about a future possibility or condition, while "if they didn't" is used to talk about a past possibility or condition. Therefore, they are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

This phrase is used to express a condition or possibility that may happen in the future. It is often followed by a consequence or result.

Examples:

If they don't arrive on time, we will have to start without them.
I will be disappointed if they don't keep their promise.
If they don't pass the exam, they will have to retake it.
What will happen if they don't agree to the terms?
If they don't finish the project by Friday, we will be in trouble.

Alternatives:

if they fail to
unless they do
in case they do not
if they do not
should they not

This phrase is used to express a condition or possibility that may have happened in the past. It is often followed by a consequence or result.

Examples:

If they didn't receive the invitation, they wouldn't know about the party.
I would have been surprised if they didn't win the competition.
If they didn't study, they probably failed the test.
What would have happened if they didn't intervene?
If they didn't leave early, they would have missed the train.

Alternatives:

if they hadn't
had they not
unless they had
in case they did not
if they did not

Answer 1

if they don't

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about a future possibility or condition.

Answer 2

if they didn't

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about a past possibility or condition.

"if they don't" vs "if they didn't"

if they don't

if they didn't

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