Conditional Sentences Quiz #1: Find and Correct the Mistakes
Level: B1 to B2 · Skills: grammar, listening, writing
Join me live while I cook chips and correct common mistakes with conditional sentences. Watch the stream, then work through this worksheet. Click any question to reveal the answer, but try it yourself first.
In the live stream we correct the sentences of a published grammar exercise. This worksheet uses new sentences that contain the same types of mistakes, so you can practise without needing the book.
📝 Before you watch
- Which is correct: If I will see her, I’ll tell her or If I see her, I’ll tell her?
- Can we use would in the if part of a sentence? What do you think?
🔧 The mistakes clinic
These are the most common conditional mistakes, and the moments in the stream where I explain them. Learn to spot them and you’ll fix them in your own English too.
| Mistake | Wrong | Correct | In the stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. will in the if part (first conditional). Use the present simple, even for the future. | ❌ If I will see Tom, I’ll tell him. | ✅ If I see Tom, I’ll tell him. | 14:47, 22:26 |
| 2. would in the if part (second conditional). Use the past simple. | ❌ If I would have more money, I’d buy a car. | ✅ If I had more money, I’d buy a car. | 12:07 |
| 3. will in the result of a second conditional. Use would. | ❌ If my sister were here, she will help us. | ✅ If my sister were here, she would help us. | 5:29 |
| 4. Past form after would. Use the bare infinitive. | ❌ If it snowed, we would stayed at home. | ✅ If it snowed, we would stay at home. | 9:42, 10:59 |
| 5. If only + present simple. Use the past simple for imaginary wishes. | ❌ If only I have more time! | ✅ If only I had more time! | 18:57 |
| 6. Missing be. Would it be possible…? | ❌ Would it possible to pay by card? | ✅ Would it be possible to pay by card? | 34:25 |
💡 More key points from the stream
- First conditional = real, likely situations. Second conditional = imaginary or unlikely ones (24:54).
- Use will in only one part of the sentence, usually the main clause (22:26).
- For tomorrow, both the first and the second conditional can make sense. The first sounds more likely, the second more hypothetical (15:56).
- The first conditional is perfect for promises (23:09) and for warnings (26:46): If you aren’t careful, you’ll slip on the ice.
- In spoken English, I will usually becomes I’ll (29:45).
- Bonus vocabulary: in the UK we say chips, in the US they say French fries (38:44).
✍️ Activity 1: Find and correct the mistake
Each sentence has one mistake. Click to see the correction.
1. If my brother were here, he will help us.
he would help us. Second conditional: result clause with would.
2. If it snowed, we would stayed at home.
we would stay at home. After would, use the bare infinitive.
3. If I would have more money, I’d buy a bigger flat.
If I had more money… No would in the if part.
4. I’ll call you if I will finish early.
…if I finish early. Present simple in the if part.
5. If only I have more free time!
If only I had more free time! Past simple for an imaginary wish.
6. If you would study harder, you would pass the exam.
If you studied harder, you would pass the exam. Past simple in the if part.
7. Would it possible to pay by card?
Would it be possible to pay by card? The verb be is missing.
8. If she goes to the party tomorrow, I going too.
…I’ll go too. Use will + bare infinitive in the result clause.
🔠 Activity 2: Choose the correct option
1. If I ____ the lottery, I’d quit my job. (win / won / will win)
won. Second conditional: past simple in the if part.
2. If it rains tomorrow, we ____ the picnic. (cancel / will cancel / would cancel)
will cancel. First conditional: a likely situation.
3. If you ____ careful, you’ll hurt yourself. (aren’t / won’t be / weren’t)
aren’t. A first conditional warning: present simple in the if part.
4. I would travel more if I ____ more time. (have / had / would have)
had. Second conditional: imaginary present situation.
5. If only the buses ____ more often! (come / came / would come)
came. If only + past simple for an imaginary wish.
6. I’ll send you the file if I ____ his address. (find / will find / found)
find. Present simple in the if part, even for the future.
⚖️ Activity 3: First or second conditional?
Is the situation likely (first) or imaginary (second)?
1. If I see her tomorrow, I’ll give her the book.
First. A likely, real situation.
2. If I saw a ghost, I’d run away.
Second. An imaginary situation.
3. If the weather is nice, we’ll have lunch outside.
First. Real and possible.
4. If I were taller, I’d play basketball.
Second. Imaginary: I am not tall.
5. If I get the job, I’ll celebrate.
First. A real possibility.
👂 Activity 4: Listen and answer
Watch the stream at the times shown, then check your answers.
1. (4:00) What do you have to do in this exercise?
Find and correct the mistake in each sentence.
2. (5:29) Which word is wrong in the result clause of a second conditional: will or would?
Will. Use would. Will belongs to the first conditional.
3. (10:59) Which verb form follows would?
The bare infinitive (would swim, not would swam).
4. (22:26) In how many parts of a conditional sentence do we usually use will?
Only one, usually the main clause.
5. (34:25) What small verb is missing in Would it possible…?
Be. Would it be possible…?
6. (38:44) What do people in the UK call fried potato sticks?
Chips. In the US they are French fries.
🎤 Activity 5: Speak, write and comment
Speaking (15 seconds to prepare, 45 seconds to speak): Give a friend a promise and a warning using the first conditional, then describe something imaginary using the second conditional.
Show a model answer
If you lend me your book, I’ll return it on Monday, I promise. But be careful: if you forget your umbrella, you’ll get soaked, because it’s going to rain all day. On a more imaginary note, if I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world, and if I could choose a country first, I’d go to Japan.
Writing (aim for 150 to 250 words): Write a message to a friend about your weekend plans (first conditional) and about where you would live if you could live anywhere (second conditional).
Join the chat: In the YouTube comments, tell me where you’re watching from, and finish this sentence: If I could visit any country tomorrow, I’d…
🪄 Want feedback on your grammar?
Send me your writing or record your speaking answer and I’ll give you personal feedback on your grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.