I wanted to do another rundown of conditionals so you all have a more thorough understanding. If you understand conditionals, not only will it improve your score by about 5-10 questions on Part 5, but also improve your writing – enabling you to use complex structures rather than simple structures.
Conditional sentences contain two distinct parts: the if-clause (condition) and result. In both of these parts, the verb forms change according to the time.
Real Conditions
- For a real condition in the future, the verb in the if-clause is usually in the present simple tense, while the verb in the result clause is in the future or imperative form.
– We will need to borrow money if taxes go up.
– If anyone calls here tomorrow, please take a message.
- Will is sometimes used in the if-clause when it is used as a synonym of want.
– If they won’t compromise, we will have to cancel the negotiations.
- For a real condition in the past, the verbs in both if-clause and the result clause are in the past.
-If they were waiting for a counteroffer, they were wise.
Unreal Conditions
- For an unreal condition in the present, the verb in the if-clause is in the past form, while the verb in the result clause is would or could plus the simple (base) form.
-He would ask for an application if he wanted the job.
-If I earned more money, I could buy a better car.
- For an unreal condition in the present, the correct form for the verb to be in the if0clause is were, no matter what the subject is.
-If she were easier to get along with, she would have more friends.
- For an unreal condition in the past, the verb in the if-clause is in the past perfect tense, while the verb in the result clause is would have or could have plus the past participle of the verb.
-He would have made a better choice if he had listened to our advice.
-They could have finished the project sooner if they had made a better work plan.
- I thought by now we would have learned the lesson that if we ignore overhead, we _______ our expenses.
- underestimating
- would underestimate
- will underestimate
- have underestimated
2) If the yield _________ up from 2.1 percent, it would have been the highest average yield since 1854.
- would go
- has gone
- will go
- had gone
3) They will import 250,000 more cars a year if international quotas set by the ministry ______ lifted.
- are
- be
- will be
- have been
4) If the government __________ an import fee, as it has threatened to do for years, prices of consumer goods will increase by at least 10 percent.
- will impose
- imposes
- has imposed
- is imposing
5. Their monetary unit _________ strong if they did something about their deficit.
- would be
- can be
- should be
- will be
6. If there had been benefits, such as options for savings and stocks, I __________ applying for the position.
- could consider
- considering
- would have considered
- will be considering
7) If the wage parity agreement _________ approved, there might be a big problem.
- was not
- is not
- had not been
- will not be
8) The boss will offer James a huge promotion if he ________ to be more punctual.
- will learn
- had learned
- should learn
- were learning
9) This purchase __________ a poor decision if it had been made for investment purposes only.
- would have been
- would be
- may be
- was
10) If he had taken this particular train as was arranged for him in the original itinerary, he ________ on time for the meeting.
- arrives
- was arriving
- would have arrived
- arrived
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