...

Exercises · Conditionals

Conditionals quiz

Choose the right tense for each sentence. Every example comes from real meetings, emails, updates and presentations – and each answer explains the rule.

Need a refresher? Review the rules in 8.1 Things which will maybe happen, 8.2 Best and worst case scenarios, 8.3 Suggestions and exploring options and 8.4 How we could have done better in our Verb Tenses in Business guide.

1. Planning meetings

Real plans and warnings – or extreme scenarios that are very unlikely?

Rules: 8.1 Things which will maybe happen and 8.2 Best and worst case scenarios

1Real plan – the client meeting is next Tuesday.If they   our first offer, we’ll lower the price.
2Real warning – profits have fallen for two quarters.If profits   soon, we   to change our strategy.
3Extreme worst case – very unlikely, but we need a backup plan.If our main supplier   out of business, we   able to deliver for three months.
4Extreme best case – a dream result.If we   10,000 orders in the first week, we   them all on time.
5Realistic – the launch is in two weeks.If the system is slow on launch day, we   the introductory discount.
6Real planIf the board   the budget on Friday, we’ll hire three new developers.

2. Strategy discussions

Only exploring an idea – or making a real suggestion? And options we have already rejected.

Rules: 8.3 Suggestions and exploring options and 8.2 Best and worst case scenarios

1Just an idea – nobody has studied it yet.Potentially, if we   production to Poland, we   around 15%.
2Real suggestion – the CFO has the figures and recommends it.If we   production to Poland, we   around 15%.
3Option already rejected – the launch date is fixed.We’ve decided to launch on 1st March. If we   it any later, we   the spring buying season.
4Still undecided – some people want to delay.If we   the launch any later, we   the spring season.
5Exploring – a question in a brainstorming session.What   if we merged the two sales teams?
6We’re keeping the price at €49. If we   more, we’d lose the smaller clients.

3. Negotiations

Testing the water – or a firm offer? What does the other side really mean?

Rules: 8.3 Suggestions and exploring options

1Testing the water – you don’t want to commit yet.If you   a three-year contract, we   the price for the whole period.
2Firm offer – you are ready to close the deal today.If you   in advance, we   the delivery fee.
3A supplier says: “If you ordered 5,000 units, we would be able to offer a 10% discount.” What do they mean?
4A client says: “If you deliver by June, we’ll sign the contract today.” What do they mean?
5If we   to your price, would you be willing to cover shipping?
6Would you be able to move the deadline if we   the budget by 10%?

4. Project reviews

What could we have done better – and how does it affect us now?

Rules: 8.4 How we could have done better

1If we   the system properly, we wouldn’t have lost so many orders.
2If we had involved the sales team earlier, last year’s campaign   much more effective.
3If we   a bigger budget, we would have hired an external testing company.
4Effect now – we are still behind schedule today.If we had hired more developers last year, we   so far behind now.
5Effect in the past – the deadline was in March.If we had hired more developers last year, we   the deadline in March.
6If I   been so busy, I’d have called you earlier.

5. Real conversations

Short exchanges that mix everything together.

Rules: Lessons 8.1–8.4

1A: Are we still opening the Berlin office?
B: Yes – if the lease   signed this week, we   in January.
2A: Why didn’t we win that tender?
B: If our price   a bit lower, we   it.
3A: We’ve decided not to offer free trials, right?
B: Yes. If we   the product away for a month, a lot of people   pay.
4A: The flight’s delayed again!
B: If we   the earlier flight, we   in the client meeting right now.
5A: Any news from the investors?
B: Not yet, but they seemed very positive. If they   yes, we   the expansion straight away.
6A: Did the new pricing work?
B: Not really. If we   it with a few clients first, we   that it was too high.

Check a section to see your score here.

More practice

Next exerciseGap-fillType the right formThe guideVerb Tenses in BusinessDiagrams and explanations

Correct on paper is not the same as natural in the boardroom

One-to-one Business English coaching for C1/C2 executives and founders.

See the CEO Package

See conditionals in action as one man reflects on arguably the greatest product pitch of all time.  Check out our advanced Business English reading lesson on Levi Roots investment pitch for his Reggae Reggae sauce on UK television.

Advanced Premium Course

The Fluency Space CEO Package

Enjoyed this lesson? Take your business English further with a structured 3-month programme designed specifically for senior executives.       

Full English audit session
Package of 12 private lessons
4 CEO-Specific webinars
AI lesson summaries and tracking

Our Coaches - A Passion For Business and Language

Mike Beattie

Executive Business English and Leadership Communication

10 years' experience

From €40/hour

Over 10 years, I have helped professionals across Europe and Asia. Learn more...

David Cox

Executive Business English and Leadership Communication

14 years' experience

From €50/hour

I have a passion for business and a background in linguistics.. Learn more...

Nezha Essouaf

Executive Presentation and Entrepreneur English

10 years' experience

From €40/hour

My coaching is designed for ambitious professionals and entrepreneurs. Learn more...

IN-DEPTH PROPOSAL BUILT WITH CARE

A Course Built around you

After your full English audit, we do a deep dive into your company, your role and your real communication goals - We then build a fully tailored program around them and send a proposal within 3 working days.

© Copyright Fluency Space.  All Rights Reserved

Page Created with OptimizePress