If clauses | Grammar exercise

There are mainly three types of if-clauses:

•     First conditional
•     Second conditional
•     Third conditional

In first conditional sentences we use a simple present tense in the if-clause and will + infinitive in the main clause.

In second conditional sentences, we use a simple past tense in the if-clause and would + infinitive in the main clause.

In third conditional sentences, we use a past perfect tense in the if-clause and would have + past participle in the main clause.

Test your understanding of if-clauses with this grammar exercise.

1. If I have enough time, I ………………….. a cake.

a) will make
b) would make
c) would have made

2. If you …………………. too much, you will get fat.

a) eat
b) ate
c) had eaten

3. If I knew the answer, I …………………. you.

a) will tell
b) would tell
c) would have told

4. If I ………………………… the answer, I would have told you.

a) know
b) knew
c) had known

5. If they invited me, I …………………..

a) will go
b) would go
c) would have gone

6. If she hadn’t helped me, I ………………………… in bad trouble.

a) will be
b) would be
c) would have been

7. If you asked me nicely, I …………………. you a drink.

a) may get
b) might get
c) might have gotten

8. If I …………………… rich, I would make generous donations to charities.

a) am
b) were
c) had been

9. If I win this race, my mom ……………………. quite happy.

a) will be
b) would be
c) would have been

10. If you had run a bit faster, you ………………………..

a) will win
b) would win
c) would have won

Answers

1. If I have enough time, I will make a cake.

2. If you eat too much, you will get fat.

3. If I knew the answer, I would tell you.

4. If I had known the answer, I would have told you.

5. If they invited me, I would go.

6. If she hadn’t helped me, I would have been in bad trouble.

7. If you asked me nicely, I might get you a drink.

8. If I were rich, I would make generous donations to charities.

9. If I win this race, my mom will be quite happy.

10. If you had run a bit faster, you would have won.