1 Conditionals course theory quizzes

Contents

Present unreal conditionals theory quiz ................................................................................................ 10

Past unreal conditionals theory quiz ..................................................................................................... 12
Future unreal conditionals theory quiz.................................................................................................. 14
Mixed unreal conditionals theory quiz.................................................................................................. 16
Answers to the present unreal conditionals theory quiz........................................................................ 22
Answers to the past unreal conditionals theory quiz ............................................................................. 23
Answers to the future unreal conditionals theory quiz.......................................................................... 24
Answers to the mixed unreal conditionals theory quiz ......................................................................... 25
 Present real conditionals theory quiz

1. We can use present real conditionals to talk about

A: impossible things in the present.
B: general truths.

2. For real conditionals, we use the tenses

A: in the normal way.
B: in a different way to usual.

3. We can use a present real conditional for a specific situation in the present.
A: False.
B: True.

4. With present real conditionals, we can use

A: both modal verbs and imperatives.
B: only imperatives.
C: only modal verbs like ‘can’ and ‘may’.

5. We can use other tenses (apart from the present simple) when we make a real present conditional
A: False. We can only use the present simple.
B: True. We can use the present continuous, present perfect and present perfect continuous.

6. We use real conditionals to talk about things that are

A: impossible or unlikely.
B: true or possible.

7. What are two examples of real conditionals that we often learn about in grammar books?
A: The zero and the second conditionals.
B: The third and the first conditionals.
C: The zero and the first conditionals.
D: The second and the third conditionals.

8. We can use present real conditionals to talk about

A: things that are probably not true in the present.

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 B: habits in the present.
Past real conditionals theory quiz

1. In past real conditionals, we use the tenses …

A: with backshifting.
B: in the normal way.

2. When we use past real conditionals to talk about specific situations in the past …
A: we hardly ever use a modal verb in the main clause.
B: we usually use a modal verb in the main clause.

3. We can use the past continuous in past real conditionals …

A: to show that something didn’t really happen in the past.
B: to show that something started before and finished after another action or time in the past.

4. We can use past real conditionals to talk about …

A: past habits only.
B: past general situations only.
both past habits and past general situations.

5. We use past real conditionals …

A: for things that actually happened in the past.
B: for things that didn’t happen in the past.

6. We can use ‘used to’ and ‘would’ for past habits in past real conditionals, just like we do in normal
sentences.
A: False.
B: True.

7. We can use past real conditionals to talk about specific situations in the past.
A: True. And usually we don’t know if the thing in the if-clause happened or not.
B: False. We can only use past real conditionals for habits and general situations in the past.

8. For past real conditionals, we mostly use …

A: two past continuous tenses.
B: two past simple tenses.

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9. We can use the past perfect tense with past real conditionals …
A: to talk about something that’s not real in the present.
B: to emphasise that one thing happened before another thing in the past.

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 Future real conditionals theory quiz

1. We can use modal verbs in the main clause of future real conditionals.
A: True, we can use all modal verbs.
B: True, but not ‘would’.
C: False, we can’t use any modal verbs.

2. When can we use the future perfect tense with future real conditionals?
A: In the if-clause.
B: In the main clause, to talk about something that we think will happen before another point in
the future.
C: In the main clause, to talk about something that we think will happen after another point in the
future.

3. In future real conditionals, we use the tenses …

A: in the normal way.
B: with backshifting.

4. We can use ‘going to’ in the main clause of a future real conditional.
A: False.
B: True.

5. In the main clause of a future real conditionals, we can use …

A: no questions.
B: imperatives or questions.
C: no imperatives.
D: ‘would’.

6. How can we make a future real conditional very formal?

A: We can use ‘should’ (with or without inversion) in the if-clause.
B: We can use the past perfect in the if-clause.
C: We can use ‘would’ in the main clause.

7. In future real conditionals, we can also use the present continuous in the if-clause.
A: True, if we are talking about an action that starts before and finishes after something in the
future.

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 B: False.

8. Can we use ‘will’ in the if-clause of a future real conditional?

A: Yes, anytime.
B: Never.
C: Only if ‘will’ has one of its modal meanings (willingness, insistence, refusal).

9. In future real conditionals, we can use the present simple in the if-clause. It is …
A: talking about the present.
B: talking about the past.
C: talking about the future.

10. We use real conditionals to talk about the future when …

A: we think it’s possible that the condition in the if-clause will happen.
B: when we think it’s impossible that the condition in the if-clause will happen.

11. How can we make a future real conditional less certain?

A: We can use ‘be going to’ in the if-clause.
B: We can use ‘would’ in the if-clause.
C: We can use ‘happen to’ in the if-clause.

12. In future real conditionals we usually use …

A: if + present simple, will + infinitive.
B: if + past perfect, will + infinitive.
C: if + past simple, would + infinitive.

13. We use the present simple to talk about the future …

A: in the if-clause in future real conditionals only.
B: in the if-clause in future real conditionals and in subordinate clauses of time (like after ‘when’
or ‘as soon as’ with a future meaning).
C: in the zero conditional.
D: in subordinate clauses of time only.

14. The most common kind of future real conditional is …

A: the second conditional.
B: the first conditional.
C: the zero conditional.

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 Mixed real conditionals theory quiz

1. We can make a mixed real conditional with a condition in the present and a result in the future.
A: True. Usually we are certain that the thing in the present is happening.
B: False.
C: True. Usually we don’t know if the thing in the present is happening or not.

2. In mixed real conditionals, how do we know the difference between a result in the present with
‘will’ to make a guess about the present and a result in the future, with ‘will’ to talk about the future?
A: We usually use a time word like ‘later’ or ‘tomorrow’.
B: We can’t tell the difference.
C: We can’t use ‘will’ to talk about the present.

3. We can use mixed real conditionals to talk about specific situations in the past with results in the
future.
A: False.
B: True. Usually we don’t know if the situation in the past really happened or not.
C: True. Usually we are certain that the situation in the past happened.

4. What tense do we very often use in the main clause of real past condition / present result
conditionals?
A: Would + have + past participle.
B: Will + infinitive or will + be + verb-ing for a guess about the present (if he’s read the
message, he’ll be on his way here now).
C: The past continuous.

5. We can use a mixed real conditional (past condition, present result) to talk about …
A: past general situations that we know happened.
B: past habits that we know happened.
C: specific situations in the past that we’re not certain happened or not, but that have a result
in the present.

6. What do we NOT use in the main clause of real past condition / present result conditionals?
A: Will + infinitive.
B: Would.
C: Could.

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7. How can we tell the difference between the first conditional and a mixed real conditional with a
condition in the present and a result in the future?
A: We can’t tell the difference.
B: We never make a real conditional with a condition in the present and a result in the future.
C: We usually use a time word in the if-clause to make it clear that it’s in the present.

8. If she has very good exam results, she must have studied hard. This is …
A: a mixed real conditional with a condition in the past and a result in the present.
B: a mixed real conditional with a condition in the future and a result in the present.
C: a mixed real conditional, with a condition in the present and a result (which is a deduction)
in the past.

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 Present unreal conditionals theory quiz

1. With present unreal conditionals, do we use ‘were’ or ‘was’ with ‘I / she / he / it’ in the if-
clause?
A: We can use either. ‘Were’ is more formal or traditional.
B: We can only use ‘were’.
C: We can only use ‘was’.

2. Which of these typical conditionals are unreal conditionals?

A: The first conditional and the third conditional.
B: The zero conditional and the second conditional.
C: The first conditional and the zero conditional.
D: The second conditional and the third conditional.

3. Backshifting is when we …
A: move the tenses back one step – for example, present becomes past.
B: move the tenses forward one step – for example, present becomes future.

4. With present unreal conditionals, can we use modal verbs in the main clause?
A: Yes, we can use past modals, like ‘could’ and ‘should’ and ‘might’.
B: Yes, we can use present modals, like ‘can’ and ‘must’ and ‘will’.
C: No, we can’t use modals in the main clause.

5. In unreal conditionals, we use the tenses …

A: in the normal way.
B: with backshifting.

6. How can we make a present unreal conditional very formal?

A: Use ‘were’ instead of ‘was’ with the verb ‘be’, drop ‘if’ and invert the verb and subject.
(Were I the president, I would …)

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 B: Drop ‘if’ and invert the subject and verb with any verb.
C: Use the past perfect instead of the past simple.

7. What tenses do we use to make conditionals that talk about impossible things in the present?
A: If + present simple, will + infinitive.
B: If + past perfect, would + have + past participle.
C: If + past simple, would + infinitive.

8. We use unreal conditionals to talk about …

A: things that didn’t really happen or things that are very unlikely.
B: things that really happened or things that are possible.

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 Past unreal conditionals theory quiz

1. What is the traditional name for past unreal conditionals?

A: The first conditional.
B: The third conditional.
C: The second conditional.

2. We often use past unreal conditionals to talk about …

A: habits that we are happy about in the past.
B: how things we regret in the past could have been different.
C: things we want to do in the present.

3. How do we usually make past unreal conditionals?

A: If + past perfect, would + have + past participle.
B: If + will, will + have + past participle.
C: If + past continuous, would + infinitive.

4. Past unreal conditionals are used to talk about …

A: things that didn’t really happen in the past.
B: general situations that were true in the past but aren’t true now.
C: habits that were true in the past but aren’t true now.

5. What is one way that we make unreal past conditionals very formal?
A: We can drop ‘if’ and invert ‘had’ and the subject.
B: We can use ‘should+ infinitive’ in the if-clause.

6. Can we use other modals in the main clause of past unreal conditionals?
A: No.
B: Yes, we can use present modals like ‘can’ and ‘must’.
C: Yes, we can use past modals like ‘might’ and ‘could’.

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7. When might we use ‘were to have + past participle’ in the if-clause of a past unreal
conditional?
A: To make something very formal and uncertain.
B: To make something more casual.
C: To make something more polite.

8. Can we use continuous forms in past unreal conditionals?

A: Only in the main clause.
B: Only in the if-clause.
C: Yes, in both clauses.

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 Future unreal conditionals theory quiz

1. How can we make a future unreal conditional even less certain?

A: We can use a modal verb like ‘can’ in the if-clause.

B: We can use inversion.
C: We can use ‘should’ or ‘happen to’ or both in the if-clause.

2. We can also use unreal future conditional forms to …

A: be polite when we’re making a request.

B: talk about things that will definitely happen in the future.
C: talk about the past.

3. In future unreal conditionals, with the verb ‘be’, do we use ‘were’ or ‘was’ with ‘I / he / she /
it’?

A: We can only use ‘was’.

B: We can only use ‘were’.
C: We can use either. ‘Were’ is more formal / traditional.

4. We can use the second conditional to talk about …

A: unlikely or unreal things in the future and impossible things in the past.
B: unlikely or unreal things in the future only.
C: unlikely or unreal things in the past only.
D: unlikely or unreal things in the future and impossible things in the present.

5. When can we use ‘would’ in the if-clause in future unreal conditionals?

A: We can’t use ‘would’ in the if-clause.

B: When we are using it as the past tense of ‘will’ and we are using ‘will’ with its modal
meaning (willingness / refusal / insistence).

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 C: When we are talking about something that happened in the past.

6. When we use future unreal conditionals, we are talking about something that …

A: will definitely happen in the future.

B: is likely to happen in the future.
C: will definitely or probably not happen in the future.

7. When can we drop ‘if’ and use inversion with future unreal conditionals?

A: We can’t use inversion with future unreal conditionals.

B: When we use any verb in the if-clause.
C: When we use ‘should’ or ‘were’ in the if-clause.

8. What other tenses can we use in the main clause of future unreal conditionals?

A: We can use the past continuous.

B: We can use past modals, like ‘could’ and ‘might’.
C: We can use present modals, like ‘can’ and ‘must’.

9. What tenses do we use in future unreal conditionals?

A: If + past simple, would + infinitive.

B: If + past perfect, would + have + past participle.
C: If + present simple, will + infinitive.

10. When can we use ‘were to + infinitive’ in the if-clause of future unreal conditionals?

A: When we want to be informal.

B: When we want to show the thing will definitely happen.
C: When we want to be formal and sound uncertain.

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 Mixed unreal conditionals theory quiz

1. How do we make a mixed unreal conditional with a condition in the past and a result in the
present?

A: If + past perfect, would + infinitive.

B: If + past simple, would + have + past participle.
C: If + past perfect, would + have + past participle.

2. What are the two main kinds of mixed unreal conditionals?

A: ‘Future if-clause / past main clause’ and ‘past if-clause / future main clause’.
B: ‘Present if-clause / past main clause’ and ‘past if-clause / present main clause’.
C: ‘Present if-clause / future main clause’ and ‘past if-clause / present main clause’.

3. What kind of classic conditionals do we use to make a mixed unreal conditional, with a
condition in the past and a result in the present?

A: The second conditional in the if-clause and the third conditional in the main clause?
B: The zero conditional in the if-clause and the first conditional in the main clause.
C: The third conditional in the if-clause and the second conditional in the main clause.
D: The second conditional in the if-clause and the first conditional in the main clause.

4. If I was younger, I would have taken the job. This conditional is talking about …

A: a condition in the present, with a result in the past.

B: a condition in the past with a result in the present.

5. What kind of classic conditionals do we use to make a mixed unreal conditional, with a
condition in the present and a result in the past?

A: The second conditional in the if-clause and the third conditional in the main clause.
B: The zero conditional in the if-clause and the first conditional in the main clause.

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 C: The second conditional in the if-clause and the first conditional in the main clause.
D: The third conditional in the if-clause and the second conditional in the main clause.

6. If I’d gone to bed earlier, I wouldn’t be so tired now. This conditional is talking about …

A: a condition in the past with a result in the past.

B: a condition in the past with a result in the present.
C: a condition in the present with a result in the past.

7. How do we make a mixed unreal conditional where the condition is in the present and there is
a past result?

A: If + past perfect, would + have + past participle.

B: If + past simple, would + have + past participle.
C: If + past simple, would + infinitive.

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 Answers to the present real conditionals theory quiz

1. We can use present real conditionals to talk about

B: general truths.

2. For real conditionals, we use the tenses

A: in the normal way.

3. We can use a present real conditional for a specific situation in the present.
B: True.

4. With present real conditionals, we can use

A: both modal verbs and imperatives.

5. We can use other tenses (apart from the present simple) when we make a real present conditional
B: True. We can use the present continuous, present perfect and present perfect continuous.

6. We use real conditionals to talk about things that are

B: true or possible.

7. What are two examples of real conditionals that we often learn about in grammar books?
C: The zero and the first conditionals.

8. We can use present real conditionals to talk about

B: habits in the present.

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 Answers to the past real conditionals theory quiz

1. In past real conditionals, we use the tenses …

B: in the normal way.

2. When we use past real conditionals to talk about specific situations in the past …
B: we usually use a modal verb in the main clause.

3. We can use the past continuous in past real conditionals …

B: to show that something started before and finished after another action or time in the past.

4. We can use past real conditionals to talk about …

both past habits and past general situations.

5. We use past real conditionals …

A: for things that actually happened in the past.

6. We can use ‘used to’ and ‘would’ for past habits in past real conditionals, just like we do in normal
sentences.
B: True.

7. We can use past real conditionals to talk about specific situations in the past.
A: True. And usually we don’t know if the thing in the if-clause happened or not.

8. For past real conditionals, we mostly use …

B: two past simple tenses.

9. We can use the past perfect tense with past real conditionals …
B: to emphasise that one thing happened before another thing in the past.

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 Answers to the future real conditionals theory quiz

1. We can use modal verbs in the main clause of future real conditionals.
B: True, but not ‘would’.

2. When can we use the future perfect tense with future real conditionals?
B: In the main clause, to talk about something that we think will happen before another point in
the future.

3. In future real conditionals, we use the tenses …

A: in the normal way.

4. We can use ‘going to’ in the main clause of a future real conditional.
B: True.

5. In the main clause of a future real conditionals, we can use …

B: imperatives or questions.

6. How can we make a future real conditional very formal?

A: We can use ‘should’ (with or without inversion) in the if-clause.

7. In future real conditionals, we can also use the present continuous in the if-clause.
A: True, if we are talking about an action that starts before and finishes after something in the
future.

8. Can we use ‘will’ in the if-clause of a future real conditional?

C: Only if ‘will’ has one of its modal meanings (willingness, insistence, refusal).

9. In future real conditionals, we can use the present simple in the if-clause. It is …
C: talking about the future.

10. We use real conditionals to talk about the future when …

A: we think it’s possible that the condition in the if-clause will happen.

11. How can we make a future real conditional less certain?

C: We can use ‘happen to’ in the if-clause.

12. In future real conditionals we usually use …

A: if + present simple, will + infinitive.

13. We use the present simple to talk about the future …

B: in the if-clause in future real conditionals and in subordinate clauses of time (like after ‘when’
or ‘as soon as’ with a future meaning).

14. The most common kind of future real conditional is …

B: the first conditional.

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 Answers to the mixed real conditionals theory quiz

1. We can make a mixed real conditional with a condition in the present and a result in the future.
C: True. Usually we don’t know if the thing in the present is happening or not.

2. In mixed real conditionals, how do we know the difference between a result in the present with
‘will’ to make a guess about the present and a result in the future, with ‘will’ to talk about the future?
A: We usually use a time word like ‘later’ or ‘tomorrow’.

3. We can use mixed real conditionals to talk about specific situations in the past with results in the
future.
B: True. Usually we don’t know if the situation in the past really happened or not.

4. What tense do we very often use in the main clause of real past condition / present result
conditionals?
B: Will + infinitive or will + be + verb-ing for a guess about the present (if he’s read the
message, he’ll be on his way here now).

5. We can use a mixed real conditional (past condition, present result) to talk about …
C: specific situations in the past that we’re not certain happened or not, but that have a result
in the present.

6. What do we NOT use in the main clause of real past condition / present result conditionals?
B: Would.

7. How can we tell the difference between the first conditional and a mixed real conditional with a
condition in the present and a result in the future?
C: We usually use a time word in the if-clause to make it clear that it’s in the present.

8. If she has very good exam results, she must have studied hard. This is …
C: a mixed real conditional, with a condition in the present and a result (which is a deduction)
in the past.

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 Answers to the present unreal conditionals theory quiz

1. With present unreal conditionals, do we use ‘were’ or ‘was’ with ‘I / she / he / it’ in the if-
clause?
A: We can use either. ‘Were’ is more formal or traditional.

2. Which of these typical conditionals are unreal conditionals?

D: The second conditional and the third conditional.

3. Backshifting is when we …
A: move the tenses back one step – for example, present becomes past.

4. With present unreal conditionals, can we use modal verbs in the main clause?
A: Yes, we can use past modals, like ‘could’ and ‘should’ and ‘might’.

5. In unreal conditionals, we use the tenses …

B: with backshifting.

6. How can we make a present unreal conditional very formal?

A: Use ‘were’ instead of ‘was’ with the verb ‘be’, drop ‘if’ and invert the verb and subject.
(Were I the president, I would …)

7. What tenses do we use to make conditionals that talk about impossible things in the present?
C: If + past simple, would + infinitive.

8. We use unreal conditionals to talk about …

A: things that didn’t really happen or things that are very unlikely.

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 Answers to the past unreal conditionals theory quiz

1. What is the traditional name for past unreal conditionals?

B: The third conditional.

2. We often use past unreal conditionals to talk about …

B: how things we regret in the past could have been different.

3. How do we usually make past unreal conditionals?

A: If + past perfect, would + have + past participle.

4. Past unreal conditionals are used to talk about …

A: things that didn’t really happen in the past.

5. What is one way that we make unreal past conditionals very formal?
A: We can drop ‘if’ and invert ‘had’ and the subject.

6. Can we use other modals in the main clause of past unreal conditionals?
C: Yes, we can use past modals like ‘might’ and ‘could’.

7. When might we use ‘were to have + past participle’ in the if-clause of a past unreal
conditional?
A: To make something very formal and uncertain.

8. Can we use continuous forms in past unreal conditionals?

C: Yes, in both clauses.

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 Answers to the future unreal conditionals theory quiz
1. How can we make a future unreal conditional even less certain?
C: We can use ‘should’ or ‘happen to’ or both in the if-clause.

2. We can also use unreal future conditional forms to …

A: be polite when we’re making a request.

3. In future unreal conditionals, with the verb ‘be’, do we use ‘were’ or ‘was’ with ‘I / he / she /
it’?
C: We can use either. ‘Were’ is more formal / traditional.

4. We can use the second conditional to talk about …

D: unlikely or unreal things in the future and impossible things in the present.

5. When can we use ‘would’ in the if-clause in future unreal conditionals?

B: When we are using it as the past tense of ‘will’ and we are using ‘will’ with its modal
meaning (willingness / refusal / insistence).

6. When we use future unreal conditionals, we are talking about something that …
C: will definitely or probably not happen in the future.

7. When can we drop ‘if’ and use inversion with future unreal conditionals?
C: When we use ‘should’ or ‘were’ in the if-clause.

8. What other tenses can we use in the main clause of future unreal conditionals?
B: We can use past modals, like ‘could’ and ‘might’.

9. What tenses do we use in future unreal conditionals?

A: If + past simple, would + infinitive.

10. When can we use ‘were to + infinitive’ in the if-clause of future unreal conditionals?
C: When we want to be formal and sound uncertain.

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 Answers to the mixed unreal conditionals theory quiz

1. How do we make a mixed unreal conditional with a condition in the past and a result in the
present?
A: If + past perfect, would + infinitive.

2. What are the two main kinds of mixed unreal conditionals?

B: ‘Present if-clause / past main clause’ and ‘past if-clause / present main clause’.

3. What kind of classic conditionals do we use to make a mixed unreal conditional, with a
condition in the past and a result in the present?
C: The third conditional in the if-clause and the second conditional in the main clause.

4. If I was younger, I would have taken the job. This conditional is talking about …
A: a condition in the present, with a result in the past.

5. What kind of classic conditionals do we use to make a mixed unreal conditional, with a
condition in the present and a result in the past?
A: The second conditional in the if-clause and the third conditional in the main clause.

6. If I’d gone to bed earlier, I wouldn’t be so tired now. This conditional is talking about …
B: a condition in the past with a result in the present.

7. How do we make a mixed unreal conditional where the condition is in the present and there is
a past result?
B: If + past simple, would + have + past participle.

25 Conditionals course theory quizzes