If you ever had or if you ever have ?

Question

Please help.. I am not able to understand the difference between these two and which one is correct ?

1. If you ever had millions of dollars, you would spend it on charity.

2. If you ever have millions of dollars, you would spend it on charity.

Thank you

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

anonymous
Please help.. I am not able to understand the difference between these two and which one is correct ?

1. If you ~~ever~~ had millions of dollars, you would spend it on charity. Correct as edited.
2. If you ever have millions of dollars, you would spend it on charity. OK in conversation, ut not perfect grammar.
It will make more sense if the subject is "I" and take out "ever" which is a filler word in my opinion. What you have is a 2nd coditional sentence. Please study the exeprt below.

The second conditional is a structure used to talk about impossible or imaginary situations. If I won a lot of money I'd travel the world. ... Many conditional sentences use if + will/would. However conditional sentences can also use other words instead of 'if' – 'when' 'as soon as' 'in case'

If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.(I probably won't win the lottery)
If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello.
She would travel all over the world if she were rich.
She would pass the exam if she ever studied.(She never studies, so this won't happen)

GPY · Answer

1. If you ever had millions of dollars, you would spend it on charity.
2. If you ever have millions of dollars, you would spend it on charity.
3. If you ever have millions of dollars, you will spend it on charity.

(1) is more hypothetical; (3) is more definite; (2) is a somewhat unsatisfactory hybrid.

We don't commonly tell people what they will do in a certain circumstance, though it is not impossible.

If you ever had or if you ever have ?

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