"if you were given" vs "if you had given"

Question

"if you were given" vs "if you had given"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'If you had given' is used to talk about a hypothetical situation in the past, while 'if you were given' is used to talk about a hypothetical situation in the present or future.

Last Updated: March 08, 2024

This phrase is used to refer to a situation that could happen in the present or future if a certain condition is met.

Examples:

If you were given the opportunity, would you take it?
If you were given a chance, what would you do?
If you were given the job, how would you handle it?

Alternatives:

if you are given
if you get
if you receive
if you obtain
if you acquire

This phrase is used to refer to a situation that did not happen in the past but could have happened if a certain condition had been met.

Examples:

If you had given me a chance, I would have succeeded.
If you had given me the information earlier, I could have helped you.
If you had given me a warning, I wouldn't have made that mistake.

Alternatives:

if you had provided
if you had offered
if you had shared
if you had granted
if you had bestowed

Answer 1

if you were given

This phrase is correct and commonly used to talk about a hypothetical situation in the present or future.

Answer 2

if you had given

This phrase is correct and commonly used to talk about a hypothetical situation in the past.

"if you were given" vs "if you had given"

if you were given

if you had given

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