Conditionals: “If” and other clues

Do you know what conditional sentences are in English grammar? One clue is when a sentence contains the word if. But other words also signal conditionals, including as long as, even if, in the event that, on (the) condition that, provided that, so long as and unless.

Choosing the correct tense in conditional sentences can be tricky because they can describe what might happen, what might have happened or even what does or did happen. See if you can choose the correct verbs in the conditional sentences below.

1. Provided that Antonio saves enough money this year, he his family on a vacation to the Amalfi Coast.

takes

will take

would take

2. If Karl had saved his money, he a home.

might buy

will buy

would have bought

3. Students continue to play on the basketball team on the condition that they maintain a B+ average.

can

could

would

4. As long as the infant was nursed and changed frequently, she happy.

is

was

will be

5. If it snowed heavily up north last weekend, the package yesterday.

might not have arrived

might not arrive

might not be arriving

6. If I misled you, I .

will apologize

would apologize

apologize

7. If any of the students have not returned their books, we to charge a late fee.

would have

will have

have had

8. If I had all the ingredients, I a cake.

will bake

am baking

would bake

9. Had Safia planted her tulip bulbs in the fall, she blooms the following spring.

would have seen

will have seen

wouldn’t have seen

10. If there’s a blizzard, children home from school.

stayed

stay

have stayed