Test your understanding of conditional clauses with this grammar exercise.
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate verb form.
1If I were you, I ............... him right away.
Wrong!
In a second conditional main clause, use "would dismiss" for an unreal present situation.
2If I ............... you, I wouldn't do this.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "was" and "were" can complete this unreal condition, but "were" is more formal.
3If I had known, I ...............
Wrong!
In a third conditional main clause, use "would have helped" for an unreal past result.
4Millions of people will die if they ............... aid soon.
Wrong!
In a first conditional if-clause, use the present simple "don't receive" for a real future condition.
5............... you to lose your job, how would you feel?
Wrong!
For formal second conditional inversion with "to lose", use "Were" before the subject.
6If I had been there, I ............... have helped.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "would" and "could" are possible before "have helped" in this third conditional result.
7If he ............... in time, he would get the job.
Wrong!
In a second conditional if-clause, use the past simple "applied" for an unreal present condition.
8If the boss ............... now, we will be in trouble.
Wrong!
In a first conditional if-clause, use the present simple "arrives" for a real future condition.
9If I liked it, I ............... it.
Wrong!
In a second conditional main clause, use "would buy" for an unreal present result.
10If she is late, we ............... without her.
Wrong!
In a first conditional main clause, use "will leave" for a real future result.
11Should you see her, ............... her to get in touch with me?
Wrong!
After this inverted first conditional, use the future question form "will you ask".
12If he should be late, we ............... start without him.
Wrong!
In this first conditional result clause, use "will have to" for future necessity.
Answers
- If I were you, I would dismiss him right away.
- If I was / were you, I wouldn’t do this.
- If I had known, I would have helped
- Millions of people will die if they don’t receive aid soon.
- Were you to lose your job, how would you feel?
- If I had been there, I would / could have helped.
- If he applied in time, he would get the job.
- If the boss arrives now, we will be in trouble.
- If I liked it, I would buy it.
- If she is late, we will leave without her.
- Should you see her, will you ask her to get in touch with me?
- If he should be late, we will have to start without him.
