The right tense of verb when using "If"

[kurdapia]

I am confused how to use the conditional word "If". Do I have to make the verb in the present or past tense? What is the right rule?

Example: "If I tell you "  or "If I told you"

[Alphonse]

The correct use of "if" all depends on the situation. Both examples you gave are correct in different contexts. Explaining each situation would be very long winded, but here's a link I found that explains it very well: http://www.edufind.com/english-grammar/conditional/

I hope it's helpful, and good luck with your studies.

[KIO5NN8C7DEB15AYGM0U]

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[kurdapia]

Thank you guys for providing these links. I quickly had a browse and I know I need some focused reading to do to better understand the rules. From the looks of it I think it would be a bit of a challenge but I can do it. 

[JasleenKaur]

 

In English we have four ways to make conditional (if) sentences.

Example: 

0 Conditional – is used for scientific facts or general truths. ‘If’ can be substituted for ‘when’.

 ‘If you boil water to 100°C, it boils.’

‘When you boil water to 100°C, it boils.’

1st Conditional – is used with ‘will/can + base verb’ for a probable future result.

 ‘If you study hard, your English will improve.’

'If I get enough sleep, I will feel better.’

2nd Conditional – uses the ‘simple past’ with ‘modal + base verb’ for imagined, impossible or unreal future situations.

 ‘If I won the lottery, I would buy a plane.’

'If you met Johnny Depp, what would you ask him?’

3rd Conditional – uses the ‘past perfect’ with ‘modal + have + past participle’. It is usually used to express a past regret about something which did not happen in the past.

 ‘If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a plane.’

‘If I had been taller, I could have played in the NBA.’

[宇崎ちゃん]

"If I tell you to shut up, keep your mouth locked".
"If I told you to shut up, you should lock your mouth".

I don't know how to explain it, I just say what I feel is correct.
But I think JasleenKaur nailed it out accurately already.

[reverserewind]

Basically, you can't use anything with "will" or "would" when it comes to using "if". That's the main thing to remember.