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TOEIC Part 5 Grammar

TOEIC Trap: If Sentence Traps

In Part 5-style if-sentences, the key grammar decision is the relationship between the condition clause and the result clause.

Use nearby verb forms and time references as clues, then check which standard-English conditional pattern the sentence is using.

The condition-result relationship

Conditional sentences describe a condition and its result. The exact verb forms depend on whether the speaker presents the situation as real or possible, imagined, or contrary to a past fact.

This focused page practises the common patterns below. For a deeper treatment, continue to TOEIC Conditionals Part 2.

Standard-English pattern: check the condition clause, the result clause and the time reference together. A single word such as tomorrow or would is a clue, not an answer key by itself.

Real or possible future

If the shipment arrives, we will contact you.

Imagined present/future

If we had more time, we would revise the report.

Unreal past

If the report had arrived earlier, we would have reviewed it.

Real or possible future conditions

For the ordinary first-conditional pattern, the if-clause usually uses a present form and the result clause can use will or another modal with future meaning.

If the manager approves the request, we will begin the project.

If the shipment arrives today, the accounting team can process it tomorrow.

Important exception: do not turn this into “never use will after if.” English can use will in an if-clause for special meanings such as willingness. This page’s self-check uses the ordinary condition pattern, not those special uses.

Imagined situations

A common second-conditional pattern uses a past form in the if-clause and would in the result clause to present a present or future situation as imagined or unlikely.

If the budget were larger, we would hire another designer.

If the office were closer to the station, more employees would use public transport.

In formal hypothetical use, were is a standard choice with the verb be. Other forms can occur in broader English usage, so the whole sentence context still matters.

Unreal past conditions

A common third-conditional pattern uses past perfect in the if-clause and would have + past participle in the result clause to describe a past situation that did not happen.

If the documents had arrived earlier, we would have processed the order yesterday.

If the package had been delivered on Monday, we would have installed the equipment yesterday.

MTC checking order

Use signals as a starting point, then verify the complete clause relationship.

1. Find the result clause

Notice forms such as will, would and would have.

2. Check the time reference

Words such as tomorrow and yesterday help, but do not decide the answer alone.

3. Match the condition

Choose the if-clause form that fits the meaning and grammar of the whole sentence.

Quick TOEIC check

Choose the best answer. For this self-check, use the ordinary conditional patterns taught above; special willingness/refusal uses of will and mixed-condition interpretations are outside scope.

1. If the shipment ___ tomorrow, we will update the customer.

arrives will arrive arrived

Correct. In the ordinary real-future pattern used here, arrives fits the if-clause before will update.

Not this time. This item uses the ordinary real-future condition pattern, not a special willingness use of will.

Not this time. The result will update and the future reference tomorrow support the ordinary real-future pattern here.

2. If the printer ___ properly, please call the IT department.

does not work will not work would not work

Correct. In the ordinary real-condition pattern used for this item, the present form does not work fits before the instruction.

Not for this self-check. English can use will after if for special meanings, but this item is explicitly limited to the ordinary real-condition pattern.

Not this time. The instruction please call does not set up the imagined pattern practised here with would.

3. If the budget ___ larger, we would hire another designer.

is were will be

Not this time. This self-check uses the standard imagined-condition pattern with would hire.

Correct. If the budget were larger, we would hire... matches the imagined pattern practised here.

Not this time. Will be does not match the imagined-condition pattern specified for this self-check.

4. If the report had been submitted earlier, we ___ the client yesterday.

would contact would have contacted will contact

Not this time. The past-perfect condition and past time reference point to an unreal past result.

Correct. Had been submitted pairs with would have contacted for the unreal past pattern used here.

Not this time. The sentence is about an unreal past situation, not a real future result.

Use signals, but verify the sentence

A fast first scan can be useful, but do not reduce conditionals to one-word triggers. Would, would have, tomorrow and yesterday are clues whose meaning depends on the full clause relationship.

MTC quick check: identify the result form, check the time reference, then match the condition. Treat this as a checking order, not a universal rule for every conditional sentence in English.

If this mistake keeps repeating

One missed conditional item is not enough to establish a Learning Block. If the same pattern breaks down across several Part 5 questions, timed sets or sessions, review both the grammar and the order in which you scan the sentence.

Review your Learning Blocks Read Conditionals Part 2 Check your TOEIC study plan

Continue with broader grammar practice

This page focuses on common if-sentence patterns. The MTC TOEIC Grammar Drills provide broader Part 5-style grammar practice across different sentence structures.

Continue with TOEIC Grammar Drills