Present Conditional Exercises:

Fill in the blanks below with either "if" or "when." Although both forms are possible in many of the sentences, one form is usually more appropriate in the situation described. If you are confused return to the Present Conditionals Page.

1. __________ I am late to work, my boss gets very angry. That is why I am always on time.

2. __________ I leave work, I usually go to the fitness center to work out.

3. __________ he eats, he tries to choose healthy foods.

4. His car is very reliable, and he rarely has any trouble with it. But he has had a couple of difficulties in the past. __________ his car breaks down or he has any problems, he calls the auto club.

5. His car is terrible! It always breaks down. __________ his car breaks down or he has any problems, he calls the auto club.

6. Mary gets six weeks paid vacation a year. She loves to travel. __________ she goes on vacation, she always goes somewhere exotic.

7. Diane works harder than anyone I know. I don't think she has taken a day off in three years. But she does really love to travel. __________ she goes on vacation, she goes somewhere exotic.

8. He loves going to the movies. __________ he goes to the movies, he always gets a large popcorn with tons of butter.

9. She hates TV. She thinks television is a waste of time. __________ she watches any television at all, it is usually a documentary or a news program.

10. My friend always keeps in touch by mail. __________ I get a letter, I usually write back immediately.

PART B

The following passage should be completed by putting the verb in parentheses in the Present Unreal Conditional.  If you are confused, you should refer to the English Page's Present Conditionals Page.

    Did you hear about that guy who won 180 million dollars in the lottery? If I (win) ______________________ that much money, I (quit) ______________________ my job the next day. I (travel) ______________________ around the world and (stay) ______________________ in the most luxurious hotels. If I (want) ______________________ anything, I would buy it. If I (see) ______________________ a beautiful Mercedes that I wanted, I (buy) ______________________ it. If I wanted to stay in a beautiful hotel and the hotel (be) ______________________ full, I (buy) ______________________ the hotel and make them give me a room. I (can) ______________________ do anything in the world if I had 180 million dollars ... Oh, I am starting to sound a little materialistic... Well... I (do) ______________________ good things with the money as well. If anybody (need) ______________________ help, I (give) ______________________ them some money to help them out. I (donate) ______________________ money to charities. I (give) ______________________ money to help support the arts. If I (win) ______________________ that much money, I wouldn't keep it all for myself. I (help) ______________________ as many people as possible.

PART C

The following passage should be completed by putting the verb in parentheses in the Present Real Conditional or Present Unreal Conditional.  If you are confused, you should refer to the English Page's Present Conditionals Page.

Michael: Sharon, I am having some problems at work, and I was wondering if you might be able to give me some advice.

Sharon: Sure, what's the problem?

Michael: The computer sales business is more difficult than I thought. When customers (come) ______________________ in to look at the new computer models, they often (ask) ______________________ me which model they should buy. If they (ask) ______________________ me to suggest a model, I (be) ______________________ usually quite honest with them. Most computer users don't need a very advanced computer; they just need a basic model which they can use for word-processing, bookkeeping and internet access. If I am (honest) ______________________ and I (recommend) ______________________ one of the cheaper models, my boss (get) ______________________ angry at me. He always says that a good salesperson can convince a customer to buy one of the more expensive advanced models. I don't really feel comfortable doing that. What would you do in my situation? Isn't it wrong to make them buy something which they don't need?