16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardConditional with 'were'

Standard English Conventions practice question

If the bridge ____ closed tomorrow, the town would be cut off for a week.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. wereCorrect
  2. B. was
  3. C. is
  4. D. will be

Answer: A. were

A hypothetical 'if' clause paired with 'would' takes the subjunctive 'were'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. was
'Was' is the indicative, not the subjunctive used with 'would'.
C. is
Present indicative clashes with 'would'.
D. will be
'Will' is not used in the 'if' clause.

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