Conditional clauses express a condition – something that must happen first so that something else can happen.
Test your understanding of conditional clauses with this grammar exercise.
1If you had invited her, she ............... with us.
Wrong!
After a past perfect if-clause about an unreal past situation, use "could have gone" for a possible past result.
2If I ............... the opportunity, I would have gone to university.
Wrong!
The third conditional needs the past perfect form "had had" in the if-clause.
3If I ............... her number, I would call her.
Wrong!
The second conditional uses the past simple form "knew" for an unreal present situation.
4If you take this medication, you ............... well.
Wrong!
The first conditional uses "will get" for a likely future result.
5If you had sold your home then, you ............... rich now.
Wrong!
This mixed conditional uses "would be" for a present result of an unreal past action.
6If you ate your breakfast, you ............... not be hungry now.
Wrong!
The second conditional uses "would" before the base verb for an unreal present result.
7If you ............... me, we both would have been happy.
Wrong!
The third conditional uses the past perfect form "had married" in the if-clause.
8If you spoke a foreign language, you ............... a better job.
Wrong!
The second conditional can use "could get" for a possible result of an unreal present situation.
9I could marry her if I ............... to.
Wrong!
The second conditional uses the past simple form "wanted" in the if-clause.
10If your computer ..............., you will lose unsaved work.
Wrong!
The first conditional uses the present simple form "crashes" in the if-clause.
11If I am late, my father ............... me to school.
Wrong!
The zero conditional uses the present simple form "takes" for a regular result.
12If you behaved more politely, they ............... help you.
Wrong!
The second conditional uses "might" before the base verb for a possible unreal result.
Answers
- If you had invited her, she could have gone with us.
- If I had had the opportunity, I would have gone to university.
- If I knew her number, I would call her.
- If you take this medication, you will get well.
- If you had sold your home then, you would be rich now.
- If you ate your breakfast, you would not be hungry now.
- If you had married me, we both would have been happy.
- If you spoke a foreign language, you could get a better job.
- I could marry her if I wanted to.
- If your computer crashes, you will lose unsaved work.
- If I am late, my father takes me to school.
- If you behaved more politely, they might help you.
