Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
1If there ............... fewer interruptions, we would finish the report before lunch.
Wrong!
In a hypothetical (second conditional) sentence, use "were" with "there" + plural noun phrase.
2If either of the ............... were missing, the audit would fail.
Wrong!
After "either of the," use a plural count noun (one of a set).
3If the ............... were more reliable, we would not need a backup plan.
Wrong!
"Data" is treated as plural here and matches "were" in formal usage.
4If those ............... had not been so strict, we could have brought our own food.
Wrong!
"Those" requires a plural count noun.
5If the ............... were not so high, more families could afford to live here.
Wrong!
Use a plural noun with "were" when talking about prices in general.
6If the ............... were not so noisy at night, I would sleep better.
Wrong!
"Were" signals a plural subject, and the meaning is about multiple people.
7If the ............... were not so fragile, we could ship them without extra padding.
Wrong!
"Them" refers to plural items; "glasses" fits as a countable plural.
8If the ............... were not so tight, we could approve the proposal this quarter.
Wrong!
"Constraints" is the natural plural noun meaning limits or restrictions.
9If the ............... were clearer, we would not keep making the same mistakes.
Wrong!
The sentence refers to multiple directions, so a plural noun is needed.
10If the ............... were not so long, we would not need to hire extra staff.
Wrong!
"Queues" is the plural noun for multiple lines of people.
11If the ............... were not so steep, we would go hiking more often.
Wrong!
"Prices" is the natural plural noun for costs in general.
12If the ............... were not so sensitive, the lab would allow students to handle them.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both plural nouns fit naturally with "were" and "them" in a lab context.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- If there were fewer interruptions, we would finish the report before lunch.
- If either of the documents were missing, the audit would fail.
- If the data were more reliable, we would not need a backup plan.
- If those policies had not been so strict, we could have brought our own food.
- If the rents were not so high, more families could afford to live here.
- If the neighbors were not so noisy at night, I would sleep better.
- If the glasses were not so fragile, we could ship them without extra padding.
- If the constraints were not so tight, we could approve the proposal this quarter.
- If the instructions were clearer, we would not keep making the same mistakes.
- If the queues were not so long, we would not need to hire extra staff.
- If the prices were not so steep, we would go hiking more often.
- If the chemicals/reagents were not so sensitive, the lab would allow students to handle them.
