Second Conditional Verb Forms Quiz

1. Which sentence is written correctly in the Second Conditional?

If I have a million dollars, I would travel the world.

If I had a million dollars, I will travel the world.

If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world.

If I would have a million dollars, I traveled the world.

The Second Conditional requires the simple past tense in the 'if-clause' (I had) and 'would' plus the base verb in the main clause (I would travel).

Explanation

The Second Conditional requires the simple past tense in the 'if-clause' (I had) and 'would' plus the base verb in the main clause (I would travel).

2. Complete the sentence: ‘If she found a wallet, she _______ it to the police.’ (use the verb 'return')

The result clause requires 'would' plus the base form of the verb, 'return,' to show the hypothetical consequence of the condition.

Explanation

The result clause requires 'would' plus the base form of the verb, 'return,' to show the hypothetical consequence of the condition.

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3. The 'if-clause' in the Second Conditional must use the simple present tense.

True

False

This is false. The Second Conditional's 'if-clause' requires the simple past tense (or past subjunctive 'were') to show that the situation is unreal or hypothetical.

Explanation

This is false. The Second Conditional's 'if-clause' requires the simple past tense (or past subjunctive 'were') to show that the situation is unreal or hypothetical.

4. Which option correctly completes the sentence: ‘I would call him if I _______ his phone number.’

Know

Knew

Known

Will know

The condition clause requires the simple past tense. The simple past form of the verb 'know' is 'knew.'

Explanation

The condition clause requires the simple past tense. The simple past form of the verb 'know' is 'knew.'

5. Which sentences show an error in the verb forms of the Second Conditional? (Select all that apply)

If they had a backyard, they would buy a dog.

If I were you, I will take the job.

I would be excited if I won the competition.

If he would run faster, he would win the race.

B is incorrect because the result clause uses 'will' instead of 'would.' D is incorrect because it uses 'would' in the 'if-clause,' which is a common error.

Explanation

B is incorrect because the result clause uses 'will' instead of 'would.' D is incorrect because it uses 'would' in the 'if-clause,' which is a common error.

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6. Which verb form is correctly used in the main clause of the Second Conditional?

Will

Would

Do

Would have

The main clause (result) uses the modal 'would' (or 'could' or 'might') plus the base verb to express the hypothetical consequence.

Explanation

The main clause (result) uses the modal 'would' (or 'could' or 'might') plus the base verb to express the hypothetical consequence.

7. Complete the sentence: ‘If the ticket cost less, I _______ it.’ (use the verb 'might buy')

The main clause requires a modal (like 'would,' 'could,' or 'might') plus the base verb. 'Might buy' correctly expresses a hypothetical possibility.

Explanation

The main clause requires a modal (like 'would,' 'could,' or 'might') plus the base verb. 'Might buy' correctly expresses a hypothetical possibility.

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8. In the 'if-clause' for the verb 'to be,' you can use 'was' for singular subjects (e.g., If he was here...).

True

False

While traditionally the past subjunctive form 'were' is preferred for all subjects in unreal situations, using 'was' is widely accepted in informal modern English.

Explanation

While traditionally the past subjunctive form 'were' is preferred for all subjects in unreal situations, using 'was' is widely accepted in informal modern English.

9. Choose the correct verb form: ‘If she _______ better, she would travel more often.’

Felt

Feel

Will feel

Had felt

The condition clause requires the simple past tense. The simple past form of the irregular verb 'feel' is 'felt.'

Explanation

The condition clause requires the simple past tense. The simple past form of the irregular verb 'feel' is 'felt.'

10. Which sentences correctly use the simple past tense in the condition clause? (Select all that apply)

If the music stopped, we would leave.

If she will try, she would succeed.

If I saw a ghost, I would run away.

If they played better, they would win the game.

Stopped,' 'saw,' and 'played' are all correctly used simple past tense verbs in the 'if-clause.' B incorrectly uses 'will.'

Explanation

Stopped,' 'saw,' and 'played' are all correctly used simple past tense verbs in the 'if-clause.' B incorrectly uses 'will.'

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11. Which sentence contains a common error in the result clause?

If it snowed, we would build a snowman.

If I had enough money, I will buy a new bike.

If she lost her phone, she would buy a new one.

I would feel great if I exercised every day.

The error is using the future tense 'will buy' in the result clause. The Second Conditional requires the modal 'would buy.'

Explanation

The error is using the future tense 'will buy' in the result clause. The Second Conditional requires the modal 'would buy.'

12. Complete the sentence: ‘If I were rich, I _______ money to charity.’ (use the verb 'would give')

The result clause requires the structure 'would' plus the base form of the verb 'give.'

Explanation

The result clause requires the structure 'would' plus the base form of the verb 'give.'

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13. It is correct to use 'would' in the main clause even if you are not sure of the hypothetical outcome (e.g., I would probably go).

True

False

This is true. The use of 'would' indicates a hypothetical result, and adverbs like 'probably' or modals like 'might' can be added to express degrees of certainty about that hypothetical result.

Explanation

This is true. The use of 'would' indicates a hypothetical result, and adverbs like 'probably' or modals like 'might' can be added to express degrees of certainty about that hypothetical result.

14. Which option is the correct tense for the verb 'call': ‘If he _______, she would answer.’

Calls

Will call

Called

Calling

The condition clause requires the simple past tense verb 'called' to establish the hypothetical situation for the Second Conditional.

Explanation

The condition clause requires the simple past tense verb 'called' to establish the hypothetical situation for the Second Conditional.

15. Which completed sentences correctly use the verb forms of the Second Conditional? (Select all that apply)

If they traveled more, they would see the world.

I could buy a bigger car if I earn more money.

If you were sick, I would bring you soup.

They would be late if they took the long route.

A, C, and D all correctly use the simple past ('traveled,' 'were,' 'took') and the 'would/could' + base verb structure. B incorrectly uses the simple present 'earn' in the condition clause.

Explanation

A, C, and D all correctly use the simple past ('traveled,' 'were,' 'took') and the 'would/could' + base verb structure. B incorrectly uses the simple present 'earn' in the condition clause.

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16. Which sentence is correct?

If I was taller, I would have reached the shelf.

If I were taller, I would reach the shelf.

If I am taller, I will reach the shelf.

If I would be taller, I reached the shelf.

The simple past subjunctive 'were' in the 'if-clause' and 'would reach' in the main clause correctly form the Second Conditional for an imaginary present situation.

Explanation

The simple past subjunctive 'were' in the 'if-clause' and 'would reach' in the main clause correctly form the Second Conditional for an imaginary present situation.

17. To correct the error in 'I would travel if I will have a visa,' the word 'will have' should be changed to _______.

The 'if-clause' requires the simple past tense, 'had,' to properly form the Second Conditional structure.

Explanation

The 'if-clause' requires the simple past tense, 'had,' to properly form the Second Conditional structure.

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18. The Second Conditional is formed by pairing the simple past in the condition clause with the future tense ('will') in the result clause.

True

False

This is false. The result clause requires the conditional modal 'would,' not the future modal 'will,' for the Second Conditional.

Explanation

This is false. The result clause requires the conditional modal 'would,' not the future modal 'will,' for the Second Conditional.

19. Which is the correct conditional structure for the verb 'do': ‘If you studied, what _______ with your degree?’

You would do

You will do

Would you do

Did you do

In a question, the structure is Modal (Would) + Subject + Base Verb: 'would you do' is correct.

Explanation

In a question, the structure is Modal (Would) + Subject + Base Verb: 'would you do' is correct.

20. Complete the sentence: ‘If he were here, he _______ the answer.’ (use the verb 'knew')

The result clause requires the structure 'would' plus the base form of the verb. The base verb of 'knew' is 'know,' so the answer is 'would know.'

Explanation

The result clause requires the structure 'would' plus the base form of the verb. The base verb of 'knew' is 'know,' so the answer is 'would know.'

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Verb Selection: Using the Correct Verb Forms in Second Conditional Sentences Quiz