a. use ‘if + had ('d) ~ to’ talk about the past (if had known/ been/ done etc.) (e.g. I didn't see you when you passed me in the street. If I'd seen you, of course I would have said hello. (but I didn't see you))
b. I'm not hungry. If I was hungry, I would eat something. (now) vs. I wasn't hungry. If I had been hungry, I would have eaten something. (past)
c. Do not use ‘would’ in the ‘if-part’ of the sentence. We use ‘would’ in the other part of the sentence. (e.g. If I had seen you, I would have said hello. (not If I would have seen you))
d. 'd’ can be would or had. (e.g. If I'd seen you. (I'd seen = I had seen), I'd have said hello. (I'd have said = I would have said))
e. use ‘had (done)’ in the same way after ‘wish’. I wish something had happened = I am sorry that it didn't happen. (e.g. I wish I'd known that Gary was ill. I would have gone to see him. (but I didn't know))
f. Do not use 'would have ~' after ‘wish’. (e.g. The weather was cold while we were away. I wish it had been warmer. (not I wish it would have been))
g. If I had gone to the party last night. I would be tired now. (I am not tired now - present) vs. If I had gone to the party last night. I would have met lots of friends. (I didn't meet lots of friends - past) (e.g. If the weather hadn't been as bad, we would have gone out./ we could have gone out. (= we would have been able to go out) or we might have gone out. (= perhaps we would have gone out))
Idiom 365
Scared Stiff: very scared
Example: Normally, people is scared stiff by the robber. I was scared stiff when the dog growled at me.