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Level: B1-B2

Conditional Mistakes — Practice

Each sentence below is either correct or contains the most common conditional mistake — will, would, or would have inside the if-clause, or a double negative with unless. Judge the highlighted part. 24 click-to-hear items.

📝 Conditionals unit · lesson 4 of 4 — the final test ⏱ about 6 minutes 🔊 every example has audio

Builds on Identify the Type Will vs Would Unit complete? Next structure: Passive Voice →

  • Real future — present or will in the if-clause?
  • If it rains, we will stay home. – Correct
  • If it will rain, we will stay home. – Incorrect (will after if)
  • If you study hard, you will pass. – Correct
  • If you will study hard, you will pass. – Incorrect (will after if)
  • If she arrives late, we will start without her. – Correct
  • If she will arrive late, we will start without her. – Incorrect (will after if)
  • Imaginary now — past or would in the if-clause?
  • If I had more time, I would learn Spanish. – Correct
  • If I would have more time, I would learn Spanish. – Incorrect (would after if)
  • If he knew the answer, he would tell us. – Correct
  • If he would know the answer, he would tell us. – Incorrect (would after if)
  • If we owned a boat, we would sail every weekend. – Correct
  • If we would own a boat, we would sail every weekend. – Incorrect (would after if)
  • Imaginary past — past perfect or would have in the if-clause?
  • If I had known, I would have called you. – Correct
  • If I would have known, I would have called you. – Incorrect (would have after if)
  • If she had studied, she would have passed. – Correct
  • If she would have studied, she would have passed. – Incorrect (would have after if)
  • If they had left earlier, they would have caught the train. – Correct
  • If they would have left earlier, they would have caught the train. – Incorrect (would have after if)
  • Unless — one negative is enough
  • Unless you hurry, you will miss the bus. – Correct
  • Unless you do not hurry, you will miss the bus. – Incorrect (double negative with unless)
  • Unless it rains, we will eat outside. – Correct
  • Unless it does not rain, we will eat outside. – Incorrect (double negative with unless)
  • Unless he apologizes, she will not forgive him. – Correct
  • Unless he does not apologize, she will not forgive him. – Incorrect (double negative with unless)