Introduction
Conditional forms are essential in English, especially for the TOEIC test, as they help express real and hypothetical situations. Understanding these forms will enable you to comprehend conversations and texts about plans, possibilities, and hypothetical scenarios often found in business contexts.
Explanation
There are two main types of conditional sentences: real and unreal.
Real Conditionals: These are used for situations that are possible or likely to happen. They often use the present tense in the "if" clause and the future tense in the main clause. For example:
If it rains, we will cancel the outdoor meeting.
If you submit the report by 5 PM, the manager will review it today.
Unreal Conditionals: These describe hypothetical situations that are unlikely or impossible. They often use the past tense in the "if" clause and "would" in the main clause. For example:
If I were the CEO, I would implement a new strategy.
If we had more time, we would finish the project by the deadline.
Common mistakes
Confusing real and unreal conditionals: Remember that real conditionals talk about possible situations, while unreal conditionals discuss imaginary ones.
Incorrect verb forms: Ensure that the verb in the "if" clause is in the correct tense (present for real, past for unreal).
Tips for the TOEIC test
Pay attention to the context: Determine whether the situation is real or hypothetical to choose the correct conditional form.
Listen for clues: In the listening section, words like "if," "would," and verb tenses can help you identify conditional sentences.
Mini practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct verb forms:
If the meeting ______ (start) on time, we will finish by 3 PM.
If I ______ (have) a better computer, I would complete the tasks faster.
If they ______ (offer) a discount, more customers would buy the product.