16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardVerb tense in a conditional about the future

Standard English Conventions practice question

If the frost ____ late next spring, the early crop will be lost.

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

  1. A. comesCorrect
  2. B. will come
  3. C. came
  4. D. would come

Answer: A. comes

In a real condition about the future, the 'if' clause takes the present tense.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. will come
'If … will come' is not standard.
C. came
'Came' makes it a hypothetical, which clashes with 'will be'.
D. would come
'Would come' is hypothetical.

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