Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1Had I known about the rail strike, ............... a coach instead.
Wrong!
After inverted third conditional 'Had I known', use 'would have + past participle': "I would have booked".
2............... the figures available today, we could complete the forecast by Friday.
Wrong!
For formal inversion of 'If the figures were available', begin with "Were" and omit 'if'.
3The app may stop working ............... the software is updated before Monday.
Wrong!
"Unless" means 'if not', so it fits the warning about failing to update the software.
4The joint presentation will go ahead provided that both teams ............... their final slides tonight.
Wrong!
After 'provided that' for a real future condition, use the present simple: "submit".
5If Clara had taken the earlier flight, she ............... so anxious now.
Wrong!
A past action with a present result uses a mixed conditional: "wouldn't be".
6If the contractor ............... to the original schedule, we would have avoided the penalty.
Wrong!
A third conditional if-clause uses past perfect, so the correct form is "had kept".
7We can replace the server tomorrow as long as the data ............... backed up first.
Wrong!
In future real conditions after 'as long as', use the present simple: "is".
8If the instructions were so clear, they ............... followed them properly, because the machine is still jammed.
Wrong!
For a logical deduction about a past unreal condition, use "can't have" + past participle.
9It's time the committee ............... responsibility for the delay instead of blaming suppliers.
Wrong!
After 'It's time' for a necessary change now, use a past form: "took".
10Take a printed copy of the agenda ............... the projector fails during the meeting.
Wrong!
Use "in case" to mean 'as a precaution against a possible problem'.
11............... by noon, we'll cancel the outdoor session.
Wrong!
To match the affirmative result 'we'll cancel', "Unless the weather improves" means 'if the weather does not improve'.
12............... the estimate is slightly high, the board will approve the repairs because the roof is unsafe.
Wrong!
Use "Even if" when the result will be the same despite that possible condition.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- Had I known about the rail strike, I would have booked a coach instead.
- Were the figures available today, we could complete the forecast by Friday.
- The app may stop working unless the software is updated before Monday.
- The joint presentation will go ahead provided that both teams submit their final slides tonight.
- If Clara had taken the earlier flight, she wouldn’t be so anxious now.
- If the contractor had kept to the original schedule, we would have avoided the penalty.
- We can replace the server tomorrow as long as the data is backed up first.
- If the instructions were so clear, they can’t have followed them properly, because the machine is still jammed.
- It’s time the committee took responsibility for the delay instead of blaming suppliers.
- Take a printed copy of the agenda in case the projector fails during the meeting.
- Unless the weather improves by noon, we’ll cancel the outdoor session.
- Even if the estimate is slightly high, the board will approve the repairs because the roof is unsafe.
