English grammar quiz
English conditionals quiz: zero to third
If I have, if I had or if I had had? Check all four types of conditionals plus mixed ones: 12 questions with every answer explained.
- 12 questions
- Level B1–B2
- Every answer explained
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Quiz: Conditionals
Choose the right option — you’ll instantly see if you got it and why. Your score comes after the last question.
Question 1.
If you heat ice, it (blank).
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Zero Conditional is for general truths: if + Present Simple, Present Simple. Ice always melts.
Question 2.
If it (blank) tomorrow, we’ll stay at home.
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First Conditional: a real future possibility. After if use the Present Simple, even about tomorrow: If it rains… Will goes in the other half.
Question 3.
If I (blank) you, I would talk to her.
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If I were you is the set phrase for advice (Second Conditional). Were works with every person; If I was you is informal speech.
Question 4.
If I had more free time, I (blank) learn to play the guitar.
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Second Conditional: an unreal present situation (I don’t have the time): if + Past Simple, would + verb. Would have is about the past.
Question 5.
If she (blank) harder, she would have passed the exam.
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Third Conditional is about a past we can’t change: if + Past Perfect (had studied), would have + past participle. No would after if.
Question 6.
If we had left earlier, we (blank) the train.
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A past condition (had left) needs a past result: wouldn’t have missed. In reality we left late and missed it.
Question 7.
If you (blank) Tom, tell him to call me.
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A real future situation with an instruction (tell him): if + Present Simple. Will after if is a typical mistake.
Question 8.
What (blank) you do if you won a million dollars?
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Winning a million is imaginary and unlikely: if + Past Simple (won), would + verb. What would you do?
Question 9.
I (blank) you if I had known you were in hospital.
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If I had known (Past Perfect) makes it Third Conditional, so the result is would have visited. The if-part can come second.
Question 10.
Unless you hurry, you (blank) late.
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Unless means if not. This is First Conditional: Unless you hurry (= If you don’t hurry), you will be late.
Question 11.
If he (blank) a car, he could drive us to the airport. But he doesn’t have one.
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He doesn’t have a car, so it’s unreal now. Second Conditional: if + Past Simple (had), then would or could.
Question 12.
If I had taken that job, I (blank) in London now.
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Mixed Conditional: a past condition (had taken) with a present result (now), so would live. Would have lived doesn’t go with now.
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Take the level testEnglish conditionals: the rule
The type depends on how real the condition is and which time it refers to.
Zero Conditional: general truths
Whenever the condition happens, the result always follows. If can be replaced with when.
If you mix red and white, you get pink.
always true
If I drink coffee late, I can’t sleep.
every time
First Conditional: real future
It may well happen. After if use the Present Simple; in the other half use will (or can, may, an imperative).
If you call me, I’ll come.
a real possibility
If it’s sunny, we’ll go to the beach.
depends on the weather
Second Conditional: imaginary present
Unreal or unlikely now or in the future. If + Past Simple (were for every person), would + V1.
If I had a dog, I’d walk it every day.
I don’t have a dog
If I were you, I’d say yes.
advice
Third Conditional: a past you can’t change
Imagining a different past: regret, criticism, “if only”. If + Past Perfect, would have + V3.
If I had known, I would have helped.
I didn’t know, so I didn’t help
If we hadn’t missed the bus, we wouldn’t have been late.
we missed it and were late
Typical mistakes
Things learners of English often say. On the left — what to avoid, on the right — the correct version.
Not this:
If I will see him, I’ll tell him.This: If I see him, I’ll tell him.
No will after if.
Not this:
If I would have money, I would buy it.This: If I had money, I would buy it.
Would goes in the result, not after if.
Not this:
If I had known, I would help.This: If I had known, I would have helped.
Past condition, past result: would have + V3.
Not this:
If I am you, I would go.This: If I were you, I would go.
Advice: Second Conditional, If I were you.
FAQ
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How many types of conditionals are there in English?
Four main ones: zero (general truths), first (real future), second (imaginary present) and third (imaginary past). There are also mixed conditionals, where the condition and the result refer to different times: If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now.
Why can’t I use will after if?
In the if-part, English expresses the future with the Present Simple: If it rains tomorrow… Will goes in the result: …we will stay at home.
If I were or if I was?
In the Second Conditional the classic form is were for every person: If I were you, if she were here. If I was is common in speech, but were is better in tests, exams and writing. In the set phrase If I were you, it’s always were.
How do I tell the second and third conditionals apart?
Look at the time. About now or the future — second: If I had time, I would go. About a past that can’t be changed — third: If I had had time, I would have gone.
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I wish I knew, I wish I had known, I wish you would stop.
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Reported speech
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