PRACTICE

Conditional Structures with If it were not for / Had it not been for / But for / Without
Questions 1–10:

1. The company is still operating smoothly thanks to the CEO’s decisive leadership.
_____ his ability to manage crises, the company _____ facing serious financial problems now.
A. If it were not for / is
B. Were it not for / would be
C. But for / has been
D. Without / will be

2. She speaks English fluently because she spent several years studying abroad.
_____ her overseas experience, she _____ confident communicating with international clients.
A. Without / wouldn’t feel
B. Had it not been for / wouldn’t have felt
C. If it were not for / hadn’t felt
D. But for / won’t feel

3. The children are calm and disciplined because of their teacher’s patience.
_____ the teacher’s guidance, the class _____ much harder to control.
A. Had it not been for / would be
B. Without / would be
C. If it had not been for / would have been
D. But for / is

4. Modern technology allows employees to work remotely and remain productive.

_____ the internet, many people _____ unable to work from home.
A. If it were not for / would be
B. Had it not been for / would have been
C. Without / will be
D. But for / are

5. He maintains a healthy lifestyle thanks to regular exercise.

_____ daily workouts, he _____ as energetic as he is now.
A. Without / wouldn’t feel
B. Had it not been for / wouldn’t have felt
C. But for / won’t feel
D. Were it not for / hadn’t felt

6. The town remains safe largely because of a strong community spirit.

_____ mutual trust among residents, crime rates _____ significantly higher.
A. Without / would be
B. Had it not been for / would have been
C. If it were not for / were
D. But for / are

7. Her confidence comes from years of public speaking practice.

_____ that experience, she _____ terrified of speaking in front of large audiences.
A. Had it not been for / would have been
B. Without / would be
C. If it had not been for / would be
D. But for / was

8. The project continues on schedule thanks to adequate funding.

_____ sufficient financial support, the project _____ delayed indefinitely.
A. But for / is
B. Without / would be
C. Had it not been for / would have been
D. Were it not for / would have

9. He remains optimistic because of strong family support.

_____ his parents’ encouragement, he _____ struggling emotionally.

A. Had it not been for / would have been
B. Without / would be
C. If it were not for / was
D. But for / is

10. The team performs well due to clear instructions from the manager.
_____ such detailed guidance, the staff _____ confused about their responsibilities.
A. Without / would be
B. Had it not been for / would have been
C. If it had not been for / would be
D. But for / are

Questions 11–20:

11. The rescue team arrived just in time and saved all the passengers.
_____ the pilot’s quick decision, many lives _____ lost.
A. If it were not for / would be
B. Without / would be
C. Had it not been for / would have been
D. But for / are

12. She passed the exam because her teacher gave her extra support.
_____ that guidance, she _____ the test.
A. If it were not for / wouldn’t pass
B. Had it not been for / wouldn’t have passed
C. Without / wouldn’t pass
D. But for / won’t pass

13. The trip was successful thanks to careful planning in advance.

_____ detailed preparation, everything _____ chaotic.
A. Without / would be
B. Had it not been for / would have been
C. If it were not for / would be
D. But for / is
14. He avoided serious injury because he was wearing a helmet.
_____ protective equipment, he _____ badly hurt.
A. Without / would be
B. But for / is
C. Had it not been for / would have been
D. If it were not for / would be

15. The company survived the crisis due to emergency funding.

_____ that financial support, the business _____ bankrupt.
A. Without / would be
B. Had it not been for / would have gone
C. But for / goes
D. If it were not for / would go

16. She completed her degree on time thanks to a scholarship.

_____ that scholarship, she _____ forced to drop out.
A. Without / would be
B. Had it not been for / would have been
C. But for / is
D. If it were not for / would be

17. The firefighters managed to contain the fire because of favorable weather conditions.
_____ the change in wind direction, the fire _____ uncontrollable.
A. Without / would be
B. Had it not been for / would have become
C. But for / becomes
D. If it were not for / would become

18. He found the address only because a stranger helped him.

_____ that assistance, he _____ completely lost.
A. Without / would be
B. But for / is
C. Had it not been for / would have been
D. If it were not for / would be

19. The concert was memorable thanks to the singer’s powerful performance.
_____ her voice, the audience _____ deeply moved.
A. Without / would be
B. Had it not been for / wouldn’t have been
C. But for / isn’t
D. If it were not for / wouldn’t be

20. The students understood the lesson because the teacher explained it clearly.
_____ such a thorough explanation, many of them _____ confused.
A. Without / would be
B. Had it not been for / would have been
C. But for / are
D. If it were not for / would be
Exercise 3

1. The roads may be icy after last night’s storm. _____ slippery, drivers are advised to reduce their speed to
avoid accidents.

A. If B. If so C. In case D. Suppose

2. The company allows employees to work remotely _____ they meet all performance targets.

A. in case B. provided C. if so D. suppose

3. The manager asked the team to keep their phones on _____ there was an urgent update from the client.

A. if so B. suppose C. in case D. provided

4. The hotel will refund your deposit _____ the room is left in good condition after checkout.

A. imagine B. in case C. as long as D. if so

5. The instructions were unclear at first. _____, please ask the supervisor for further clarification.

A. In case B. If so C. Provided D. Imagine

6. _____ the weather improves tomorrow, the outdoor event will go ahead as planned.

A. Suppose B. In case C. Provided that D. If so

7. The documents must be signed today; _____ delayed, the entire project timeline will be affected.

A. if so B. if necessary C. if delayed D. in case

8. You may borrow my laptop _____ you promise to handle it carefully and return it on time.

A. if so B. provided that C. in case D. imagine

9. _____ you were offered a job abroad, would you be willing to relocate with your family?

A. If so B. In case C. Suppose D. Provided

10. The instructions say that food should be stored in a cool place; _____ not refrigerated, it may spoil
quickly.

A. in case B. if so C. if left D. suppose

11. The teacher reminded the students to save their work frequently _____ the system crashed unexpectedly.

A. if so B. suppose C. in case D. provided

12. The contract will remain valid _____ both parties continue to meet their obligations.
A. if so B. as long as C. in case D. suppose

Exercise 4

13. She regrets not spending more time with her grandparents when they were alive. She wishes she _____
more time with them.

A. spends B. would spend C. had spent D. spent

14. The noise from the construction site is extremely distracting, and it is still ongoing. I wish the construction
workers _____ so much noise during the day.

A. wouldn’t make B. didn’t make C. hadn’t made D. wouldn’t have made

15. He feels frustrated because his brother never listens to advice. He wishes his brother _____ more open-
minded.

A. will be B. would be C. were D. had been

16. The flight was canceled yesterday, causing them to miss an important meeting. They wish the flight _____
canceled.

A. isn’t B. wasn’t C. wouldn’t be D. hadn’t been

17. She is unhappy with her current job situation and hopes it will change. If only her working conditions
_____ better in the future.

A. are B. were C. would be D. had been

18. He didn’t take the teacher’s advice seriously, and now he regrets it. He wishes he _____ the teacher’s
advice.

A. follows B. would follow C. had followed D. followed

19. The children keep playing video games late at night, which annoys their parents. Their parents wish the
children _____ to bed earlier.

A. go B. went C. would go D. had gone

20. She is disappointed that she cannot speak French fluently at present. She wishes she _____ French
fluently.

A. speaks B. would speak C. spoke D. had spoken