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!
Use "were" with plural "interruptions" in this second conditional sentence.
2If either document ............... missing, the audit would fail.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "was" and "were" are acceptable after singular "either document" in this hypothetical condition.
3If the data ............... more reliable, we would not need a backup plan.
Wrong!
Use "were" because "data" is treated as plural here in a second conditional sentence.
4If those policies ............... so strict, we could have brought our own food.
Wrong!
Use "had not been" for an unreal past condition in the third conditional.
5If the rents ............... so high, more families could afford to live here.
Wrong!
Use "were not" for an unreal present situation in the second conditional.
6If the neighbors ............... so noisy at night, I would sleep better.
Wrong!
Use "were not" in the if-clause of this second conditional sentence.
7If the glasses ............... so fragile, we could ship them without extra padding.
Wrong!
Use "were not" because the sentence imagines an unreal present condition.
8If the constraints ............... so tight, we could approve the proposal this quarter.
Wrong!
Use "were not" for a present unreal condition with "could approve" in the result clause.
9If the instructions ............... clearer, we would not keep making the same mistakes.
Wrong!
Use "were" to describe an unreal present condition in the if-clause.
10If the queues ............... so long, we would not need to hire extra staff.
Wrong!
Use "were not" with the second conditional result "would not need".
11If the prices ............... so steep, we would go hiking more often.
Wrong!
Use "were not" because the sentence talks about an unreal present situation.
12If the chemicals ............... so sensitive, the lab would allow students to handle them.
Wrong!
Use "were not" for an unreal present condition with "would allow" in the result clause.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- If there were fewer interruptions, we would finish the report before lunch.
- If either document was / 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 were not so sensitive, the lab would allow students to handle them.