Grammar: Conditionals

Question 3

Choose the correct form of the verb:

If you heat ice, it ______ {melt}.

Answer 3

If you heat ice, it melts.

Zero conditional: Use present simple for general facts and truths.
If water boils, it turns into steam.

Question 4

Choose the correct form of the verb:

If students ______ {not eat} breakfast, they usually feel tired during morning classes.

Answer 4

If students do not eat breakfast, they usually feel tired during morning classes.

Zero conditional: Use present simple for both clauses.

If water boils, it turns to steam.

Question 5

Rewrite the sentence using when instead of if:

If you go to the library, I’ll go with you.

When…

Answer 5

When you go to the library, I’ll go with you.

First conditional: Use when for things that will definitely happen.

When class starts, I’ll turn off my phone.

Question 6

Change the order of clauses:

The professor cancels class if the weather is dangerous.

If…

Answer 6

If the weather is dangerous, the professor cancels class.

Both orders are correct. Use a comma after the first phrase if you start the sentence with “If…”.

Question 7

Complete the sentence with the correct verb form:

If it ______ {rain} tomorrow, the university will cancel outdoor events.

Answer 7

If it rains tomorrow, the university will cancel outdoor events.

Use first conditional for real future possibilities. Present simple in the if-clause, will in the main clause.

Question 8

Complete the sentence with the correct verb form:

If you ______ {forgot} your ID card, you will not be able to enter the library.

Answer 8

If you forget your ID card, you will not be able to enter the library.

Use first conditional for real future consequences.

Question 9

Rewrite the sentence using when instead of if:

If the class ends early, I go to the library to study.

When…

Answer 9

When the class ends early, I go to the library to study.

Zero conditional: Use when for things that definitely happen.

When it rains, I stay home.

Question 10

Change the order of clauses:

You will miss important information if you do not attend the lecture.

If…

Answer 10

If you don’t attend the lecture, you will miss important information.

Both orders are correct. Use a comma after the first phrase if you start the sentence with “If…”.

Question 11

Choose the correct verb form:

If the temperature ______ {drop} below zero, the campus fountains freeze.

Answer 11

If the temperature drops below zero, the campus fountains freeze.

Zero conditional: Use present simple for general facts and truths.

If water boils, it turns into steam.

Question 12

Choose the correct verb form:

If he ______ {drink} too much coffee at night, he will have trouble sleeping.

Answer 12

If he drinks too much coffee at night, he will have trouble sleeping.

First conditional: Use present simple + will for real future possibilities.

If it rains, I’ll stay home.
If our class is cancelled, we’ll go out for lunch.

Question 13

Correct the error:

If you will be here at 8:00, we will start the meeting.

Answer 13

If you are here at 8:00, we will start the meeting.

First conditional: Use present simple in the if-clause, even though it’s about the future.

Question 14

Choose the correct verb form:

If you ______ {complete} your assignments regularly, you will improve your grades.

Answer 14

If you complete your assignments regularly, you will improve your grades.

Use first conditional for real future results.

Question 15

Restate the sentence using “unless”:

If you do not submit your essay, you will not pass the course.

Unless…

Answer 15

Unless you submit your essay, you will not pass the course.

Use unless for negative conditions.

Question 16

Change the order of clauses:

You will succeed if you work hard.

Answer 16

If you work hard, you will succeed.

Both orders are correct. Use a comma after the first phrase if you start the sentence with “If…”.

Question 17

Complete the sentence:

If I ______ {have} more free time, I would join a student club.

Answer 17

If I had more free time, I would join a student club.

Use second conditional for unreal present/future.

Question 18

Complete the sentence:

If she ______ {be} taller, she would play on the basketball team.

Answer 18

If she were taller, she would play on the basketball team.

Use second conditional for unreal present.

Question 19

Correct the error:

If I would see him, I would say hello.

Answer 19

If I saw him, I would say hello.

Use past simple in the if-clause, not would.

Question 20

Complete the sentence:

If the group ______ {collaborate} more effectively, they would have finished the project on time.

Answer 20

If the group had collaborated more effectively, they would have finished the project on time.

Use third conditional for past situations that did not happen.

If you had not helped me, I would not have finished on time.

Question 21

Change the order of clauses:

I would buy a laptop if I won the scholarship.

If…

Answer 21

If I won the scholarship, I would buy a laptop.

Both orders are correct. Use a comma after the first phrase if you start the sentence with “If…”.

Question 22

Choose the correct verb form:

If he ______ {study} more, he would get better grades.

Answer 22

If he studied more, he would get better grades.

Second conditional: Use past simple + would for unreal or hypothetical situations now or in the future.

If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.

Question 23

Correct the error:

If he would listen, he would understand.

Answer 23

If he listened, he would understand.

Second conditional: Use past simple + would for unreal or hypothetical situations now or in the future. Note: Avoid using would in the “if” clause.

If I had more time, I’d apply for another job.

Question 24

Choose the correct verb form:

If you ______ {not leave} now, you will be late for your exam.

Answer 24

If you don’t leave now, you will be late for your exam.

First conditional: Use present simple + will for real future possibilities.

If it rains, I’ll stay home.

Question 25

Choose the correct verb form:

If you ______ {skip} breakfast, you will feel tired during your morning class.

Answer 25

If you skip breakfast, you’ll feel tired during your morning class.

First conditional: Use present simple + will for real future possibilities.

If they are late, we’ll be in trouble.

Question 26

Choose the correct form:

If I ______ {know} his phone number, I’d call him to discuss the project.

Answer 26

If I knew his phone number, I’d call him to discuss the project.

Second conditional: Use past simple + would for unreal or hypothetical situations now or in the future.

If he asked me to marry him, I’d say yes.

Question 27

# Correct the error: If I would have enough money, I would buy a car.

Answer 27

If I **had** enough money, I would buy a car. ## Footnote Don't use **would** in the if-clause.

Question 28

# Choose the correct verb form: If I \_\_\_\_\_\_ {know} about the meeting yesterday, I would have attended.

Answer 28

If I **had known** about the meeting yesterday, I would have attended. ## Footnote Third conditional: Use **past perfect** + **would** for a past action affecting now. *If I had studied harder, I would have had a better job.*

Question 29

# Choose the correct verb form: If she \_\_\_\_\_\_ {leave} earlier, she would have caught the bus this morning.

Answer 29

If she **had left** earlier, she would have caught the bus this morning. ## Footnote Third conditional: Use **past perfect** + **would have** for a past action with a past result. *If you had invited me, I would have come to your party.*

Question 30

# Correct the error: If we **would have studied**, we would have passed the exam.

Answer 30

If we **had studied**, we would have passed the exam. ## Footnote Don't use "would" in the if-clause.

Question 31

# Choose the correct verb: If they \_\_\_\_\_\_ {follow} the instructions, they wouldn't have made that mistake on the test.

Answer 31

If they **had followed** the instructions, they wouldn't have made that mistake on the test. ## Footnote Third conditional: Use **past perfect** + **would** for a past action affecting now. *If we had gotten married sooner, we would have stayed in my hometown.*

Question 32

# Restate the sentence using "unless": If you don't remind me, I'll forget to go to my appointment. | Unless...

Answer 32

**Unless** you remind me, I'll forget to go to my appointment. ## Footnote Use **unless** to replace "If... not".

Question 33

# Change the order of clauses: I would have helped you if I had known you needed assistance. | If...

Answer 33

If I had known you needed assistance, I would have helped you. ## Footnote Both orders are correct. Use a comma after the first phrase if you start the sentence with "If...".

Question 34

# Choose the correct verb: If he \_\_\_\_\_\_ {follow} the directions, he would not have gotten lost on campus.

Answer 34

If he **had followed** the directions, he would not have gotten lost on campus. ## Footnote Third conditional: Use **past perfect** + **would have** for a past action with a past result. *If you had let me know you were sick, I wouldn't have been so impatient.*

Question 35

# Correct the error: If I **would have seen** her, I would have said hello.

Answer 35

If I **had seen** her, I would have said hello. ## Footnote Don't use **would** in the "if-clause".

Question 36

# Choose the correct verb: If we \_\_\_\_\_\_ {have} more time yesterday, we would have finished the group project.

Answer 36

If we **had had** more time yesterday, we would have finished the group project. ## Footnote Third conditional: Use **past perfect** + **would have** for a past action with a past result. (Had + had) is correct.

Question 37

# Choose the correct verb form: If you \_\_\_\_\_\_ {bring} your umbrella this morning, you wouldn't have gotten wet.

Answer 37

If you **had brought** your umbrella this morning, you would not have gotten wet. ## Footnote Third conditional: Use **past perfect** + **would have** for a past action with a past result. *If he had driven to work, he wouldn't have been late.*

Question 38

# Complete the sentence: If you \_\_\_\_\_\_ water to 100°C, it boils.

Answer 38

If you **heat** water to 100°C, it boils. ## Footnote Zero conditional: Use **present simple** for general facts and truths. *If it rains regularly, my garden thrives.*

Question 39

# Choose the correct verb: If it \_\_\_\_\_\_ {not rain} tomorrow, we will go to the university park.

Answer 39

If it **doesn't rain** tomorrow, we will go to the university park. ## Footnote First conditional: Use **present simple** + **will** for real future possibilities. *If she doesn't finish school soon, I won't offer her a job at my company.*

Question 40

# Choose the correct verb: If I \_\_\_\_\_\_ {win} a scholarship, I would buy a new laptop.

Answer 40

If I **won** a scholarship, I would buy a new laptop. ## Footnote Second conditional: Use **past simple** + **would** for unreal or hypothetical situations now or in the future. *If I had more time, I would learn to play the piano.*

Question 41

# Change the order of clauses: You will get wet if you don't take an umbrella. | If...

Answer 41

If you don't take an umbrella, you will get wet. ## Footnote Both orders are correct. Use a comma after the first phrase if you start the sentence with "If...".

Question 42

# Choose the correct verb form: If students \_\_\_\_\_\_ {do} their homework, they get better grades.

Answer 42

If students **do** their homework, they get better grades. ## Footnote Zero conditional: Use **present simple** for general facts and truths. *If you speak more than one language, you have an advantage.*