Exercises B2 : use The past subjunctive in English

These exercises focus on the past subjunctive and unreal conditional structures in English — a key B2 skill that mirrors similar hypothetical forms in French. Work through each exercise to sharpen your accuracy.

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Exercice 1 — Fill in the Blank: Past Subjunctive Forms

Complete each sentence with the correct past subjunctive form of the verb in brackets.

1. If she ___ (know) about the meeting, she would have come.
2. I wish he ___ (be) more careful with his words yesterday.
3. If they ___ (arrive) on time, we would not have missed the train.
4. She acts as though she ___ (see) a ghost just now.

Correction

1. If she had known about the meeting, she would have come.
2. I wish he had been more careful with his words yesterday.
3. If they had arrived on time, we would not have missed the train.
4. She acts as though she had seen a ghost just now.

Exercice 2 — Sentence Transformation: Real to Hypothetical

Rewrite each sentence using the past subjunctive to express a hypothetical or unreal situation, as indicated.

1. He didn't study, so he failed the exam. → Use 'If he had…'
2. She didn't tell me the truth, so I was upset. → Use 'If she had…'
3. They didn't leave early, so they missed the flight. → Use 'If they had…'
4. I didn't bring an umbrella, so I got soaked. → Use 'If I had…'

Correction

1. If he had studied, he would not have failed the exam.
2. If she had told me the truth, I would not have been upset.
3. If they had left early, they would not have missed the flight.
4. If I had brought an umbrella, I would not have got soaked.

Exercice 3 — Error Correction: Spot the Mistake

Each sentence contains one error related to the past subjunctive or hypothetical structures. Rewrite the sentence correctly.

1. If I would have known earlier, I would have called you.
2. She wishes she didn't say those things at the meeting.
3. He spoke to her as if he seen her before, but they had never met.
4. If they had studied harder, they will have passed the test.

Correction

1. If I had known earlier, I would have called you.
2. She wishes she hadn't said those things at the meeting.
3. He spoke to her as if he had seen her before, but they had never met.
4. If they had studied harder, they would have passed the test.