Speak English Around Town » LESSON 9 - Making a Doctor's Appointment
Laura: Primary Medical Group. How may I help you?
Grace: I'd like to make an appointment with Dr. Feinberg.
Laura: Your name?
Grace: Grace Lee.
Laura: What's the nature of your visit?
Grace: I think I've come down with the flu.
Laura: We have an opening tomorrow at three.
Grace: I can't wait that long. I'm really sick!
Laura: Well, unfortunately, Dr. Feinberg is booked solid today. If he were free at all, I would squeeze you in.
Grace: Can anybody else see me?
Laura: Hang on. Let me check ... You're in luck. Dr. Wilson can see you at four o'clock this afternoon.
Grace: Don't you have anything earlier today?
Laura: No, I'm afraid not. We're short-staffed this week.
Grace: So there's no way I can come in before four today?
Laura: I'd like to help you, but my hands are tied. If I were you, I would grab this four o'clock appointment.
Grace: Okay. I'll take it.
When we talk about events that are wished for, imagined, or unreal, we often use the if/would structure. Even though we are talking about the present, the verb in the if clause is put in the past tense. This form is called the conditional.
Examples:
◼ If you liked football, I would invite you to the game on Saturday.
The meaning here is that you do NOT like football, so I will not be inviting you to the game.
◼ If Ben studied harder, he'd get into Harvard.
In other words: Ben won't get into Harvard because he doesn't study hard enough.
◼ If we had a lot of money, we'd buy a vacation home in Vermont.
But we do not have a lot of money. Therefore, we won 't be buying that vacation home!
When the verb "to be" is in the if clause, use "were" instead of "was." This is called the subjunctive mood. "If I were you" is often used to give advice (you are imaging yourself in somebody else's place or situation). The next time you want to give advice to someone, remember to say, "If I were you... " and NOT "If I was you."
Examples:
◼ If I were the boss, this office would be a lot more fun.
◼ If I were you, I'd buy a new suit for the interview.
◼ If I were you, I'd apply right away for that position.
◼ If I were you, I'd join Match.com and start dating again.
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