Conditional clauses express a condition – something which must happen first so that something else can happen. Can you use conditional clauses correctly? Test your knowledge with this grammar exercise.
Fill in the blanks.
1. If I .................... you, I wouldn't do this.
Was is also possible here; however, were is preferred. In the second conditional we use a simple past tense in the if-clause and would + infinitive in the main clause.
2. If you ................... red and green, you get yellow.
The zero conditional is used to talk about situations that are always true. In the zero conditional, we use a simple present tense in both clauses.
3. If I had known the answer, I .................................. you.
In the third conditional, we use a past perfect tense in the if-clause and would have + past participle in the main clause.
4. Unless you start now, you ........................ late.
5. If I were you, I ........................ this.
6. Provided that you ......................... there half an hour earlier, you will be able to get straight in.
In the first conditional, we use a simple present tense in the subordinate clause and will + infinitive in the main clause.
7. Unless you ........................ smoking, you will develop serious health problems.
In the first conditional, we use a simple present tense in the subordinate clause and will + infinitive in the main clause.
8. If I had been there, I .............................. this from happening.
In the third conditional, we use a past perfect tense in the if-clause and would have + past participle in the main clause.
9. If you ........................... hurry, you will miss the flight.
We use the first conditional to talk about real and possible situations. In the first conditional, we use a simple present tense in the if-clause and will + infinitive in the main clause.
10. If weather permits, we ......................... again.
In the first conditional, we use a simple present tense in the if clause and will + infinitive in the main clause.
11. If I ....................... I will come tomorrow.
12. ........................... you come tomorrow if you can?
Answers
1. If I were you, I wouldn’t do this.
2. If you mix red and green, you get yellow.
3. If I had known the answer, I would have told you.
4. Unless you start now, you will be late.
5. If I were you, I would never do / would never have done this.
6. Provided that you get there half an hour earlier, you will be able to get straight in.
7. Unless you stop smoking, you will develop serious health problems.
8. If I had been there, I would have prevented this from happening.
9. If you do not hurry, you will miss the flight.
10. If weather permits, we will meet again.
11. If I can I will come tomorrow.
12. Will you come tomorrow if you can?
