Understanding the Correct Usage of 'if you told me' vs 'if you tell me'

Both 'if you told me' and 'if you tell me' are correct and are used to express different conditional scenarios. The choice between them depends on the context and the likelihood of the action taking place. This guide will help you understand and use these sentences correctly.

Conditional Sentences: Past and Future Tense

Conditional sentences describe hypothetical or future situations. They consist of an if clause (the condition) and a main clause (the result). There are three types of conditional sentences: first, second, and third conditionals. Each type is used to describe different levels of likelihood.

First Conditional: Present or Near Future Events

In the first conditional, the condition is likely to happen, and the result will happen if the condition does occur. The if clause uses the present tense, and the main clause uses the future tense, often with 'will'. For example:

If you tell me, I will believe you.

Second Conditional: Hypothetical or Unlikely Situations

In the second conditional, the condition is unlikely to happen, and the result is also unlikely. The if clause uses the past tense, and the main clause uses 'would'. For example:

If you told me, I would believe you.

Third Conditional: Past Actions with Unreal Results

In the third conditional, the condition and the result have already happened, and the result differs from what actually happened. The if clause always uses the past perfect tense, and the main clause uses the conditional perfect. For example:

If you told me, I would have believed you.

Distinguishing Between 'Tell' and 'Told'

The verbs 'tell' and 'told' are used to indicate different degrees of likelihood or hypothetical situations:

Tell - Present Simple Tense

Use the present simple tense of 'tell' to express something that is likely to happen in the present or near future. This conveys an expectation or likelihood:

"If you tell me now, I'll laugh.
If you told me before, I forgot."

Told - Past Simple Tense

The past simple tense of 'tell' is used when the action is in the past and is no longer relevant. This conveys a hypothetical situation or an event that happened in the past but didn't result in the desired outcome:

"If only you told me earlier; I wouldn't be this worried now.
I told you the truth.
I told you a story.
I can tell you a story.
I will tell you a story."

Example Usage

Here are more examples to help clarify:

"If you tell me that story before, I'm sorry but I don't remember it.
If you tell me whether or not you want to go to the concert with me, I can buy the tickets."

Both forms of 'tell' are correct depending on the context. The past tense form ('told') is used for past events or hypothetical scenarios, while the present tense form ('tell') is used for the present or near future.

Conclusion

In summary, both 'if you told me' and 'if you tell me' are correct. The choice between them depends on the context and the likelihood of the event. Understanding the difference between these forms is crucial for expressing different hypothetical situations in English.