16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumSubjunctive-free conditional with 'if'

Standard English Conventions practice question

If the river ____ another metre, the lower car park will have to be closed.

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

  1. A. risesCorrect
  2. B. rose
  3. C. will rise
  4. D. had risen

Answer: A. rises

A real future condition uses the present tense in the 'if' clause: 'If the river rises…, the car park will…'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. rose
'Rose' would pair with 'would have to be', a hypothetical.
C. will rise
'Will' does not belong in the 'if' clause.
D. had risen
'Had risen' would pair with 'would have had to be', a past hypothetical.

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