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Intermediate Conditionals Review — Second and Third

B1-B2 Level

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This intermediate review covers the second conditional for hypothetical present or future situations and the third conditional for unreal past situations. The second conditional uses past simple in the if-clause and "would" in the result: "If I had more time, I would learn another language." The third conditional uses past perfect in the if-clause and "would have" in the result: "If I had studied harder, I would have passed."

The key difference is timing: the second conditional imagines a different present or future ("If I were rich..." — but I am not rich now), while the third conditional imagines a different past ("If I had known..." — but I did not know). Mixing these two conditionals in one exercise tests whether you can quickly identify the time frame and choose the correct structure. This skill is essential for Cambridge B2 First, where second and third conditionals appear in key word transformations and open cloze exercises. Practising both types together builds the flexibility you need for natural English conversation about wishes, regrets, and imaginary scenarios.

Quick Rule

Second: If + past simple, would + base verb | Third: If + past perfect, would have + past participle

1.If I spoke French, I would apply for that job. (second — hypothetical present)
2.If she had taken the earlier bus, she would have arrived on time. (third — unreal past)
3.If we lived near the beach, we would go swimming every day. (second)
4.If they had known about the delay, they would have left earlier. (third)
5.If she hadn't been so nervous, she wouldn't have forgotten her lines. (third — negative)

All 20 questions

Complete the conditional sentences. Use the correct form for second conditionals (hypothetical situations) and third conditionals (impossible past).

If I _____ (be) rich, I _____ (travel) around the world.
Complete the second conditional sentence.
She _____ (pass) the exam if she _____ (study) harder.
Complete the third conditional sentence.
If they _____ (have) more time, they _____ (help) us.
Complete the second conditional sentence.
If we _____ (leave) earlier, we _____ (not/miss) the train.
Complete the third conditional sentence.
What _____ (do / you) if you _____ (know) the answer?
Complete the second conditional sentence.
If it _____ (not / rain) yesterday, we _____ (have) a picnic.
Complete the third conditional sentence.
If I _____ (live) in Japan, I _____ (learn) Japanese.
Complete the second conditional sentence.
I _____ (help) you if you _____ (tell) me about the problem.
Complete the third conditional sentence.
If she _____ (be / not) so busy, she _____ (come) to the party.
Complete the second conditional sentence.
They _____ (be / still) friends if they _____ (not/argue).
Complete the third conditional sentence.
If the weather _____ (be) better, we _____ (go) swimming.
Complete the second conditional sentence.
If I _____ (know) about the meeting, I _____ (attend) it.
Complete the third conditional sentence.
You _____ (get) a promotion if you _____ (work) harder.
Complete the second conditional sentence.
If the car _____ (not / break) down, we _____ (arrive) on time.
Complete the third conditional sentence.
We _____ (drive) to the beach if we _____ (have) a car.
Complete the second conditional sentence.
If she _____ (not / forget) her keys, she _____ (not/be) locked out.
Complete the third conditional sentence.
If it _____ (not / rain) so much, the garden _____ (look) better.
Complete the second conditional sentence.
You _____ (get / not) wet if you _____ (bring) an umbrella.
Complete the third conditional sentence.
If they _____ (offer) me the job, I _____ (accept) it.
Complete the second conditional sentence.
We _____ (get) better seats if we _____ (book) tickets earlier.
Complete the third conditional sentence.