Complete the freelance graphic designer's email to a new client by dragging the correct condition words into the blanks.
I will begin working on the initial sketches provided that the 50% upfront deposit has been paid.
Please note that I cannot release the final high-resolution files unless the final invoice is fully settled.
We can schedule a quick revision call next week if you feel the design needs further changes.
I will begin working on the initial sketches provided that the 50% upfront deposit has been paid.
"Provided that" means "on the condition that." The designer requires the deposit as a strict prerequisite before starting the work. "Unless" would mean they start working only if the deposit isn't paid, which is illogical!
Please note that I cannot release the final high-resolution files unless the final invoice is fully settled.
"Unless" introduces a negative condition ("if not"). The designer will not release the files if the invoice is not settled.
We can schedule a quick revision call next week if you feel the design needs further changes.
"If" introduces a simple condition. The call will happen in the event that the client wants changes.
Conditional sentence
- ✅ If you heat ice, it melts. — zero conditional (always true)
- ✅ If it rains, I*'ll** take an umbrella.* — first conditional (real future)
- ✅ If I had wings, I would fly. — second conditional (unreal present)
- ✅ If I had left earlier, I would have caught the train. — third conditional (unreal past)
Conditional sentences pair an if-clause with a consequence. Five patterns (zero through mixed) each combine specific tenses to express different levels of reality and time.
Pattern: the tense in the if-clause is always one step "back" from what you'd expect — past for present hypotheticals, past perfect for past hypotheticals.
Conjunction
- ✅ I was tired, but I stayed. — coordinating (links two equal clauses)
- ✅ I stayed because I was needed. — subordinating (introduces dependent clause)
- ✅ Although it rained, we went out. — subordinating (front position)
- ❌ I was tired, because. — incomplete (subordinating conjunction needs a clause after it)
Conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses. Coordinating (and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor) join equals; subordinating (because, although, if, when, while) introduce dependent clauses.
Pattern: coordinating = equal partners, same grammatical weight. Subordinating = one clause depends on the other for its meaning.
Clause
- I missed the bus. — ✅ independent clause (stands alone)
- Because I overslept. — ❌ fragment (dependent clause, can't stand alone)
- Because I overslept, I missed the bus. — ✅ dependent + independent = complete sentence
- I missed the bus, and I was late. — ✅ two independent clauses joined by and
A clause is a unit built around a verb with a subject. Independent = can stand alone. Dependent = needs an independent clause to complete it.
Test: does the group of words have a subject + verb AND can it be a sentence on its own? Yes → independent clause. Has a subject + verb but feels incomplete → dependent clause.
B2 | Upper Intermediate
- ✅ If I had studied harder, I would have passed. — third conditional
- ✅ The report is being reviewed by the committee. — passive progressive
- ✅ Having finished the exam, she left. — participle clause
- ✅ He denied having taken the money. — complex verb pattern
These are B2 patterns — the CEFR upper-intermediate level. At B2 you handle mixed conditionals, all passive forms, participle clauses, and can argue a point clearly. This is the level most universities and employers require.
Marker: if you can write a structured essay and debate an abstract topic, you're B2.
Medium
- If I were you, I would apologise. — one rule (second conditional), but distractors like was tempt you
- Answers require active thought, not instant pattern recognition
- Vocabulary and context are realistic, not artificially simplified
- Usually tests one rule, but the wrong answers are plausible
Medium marks middle-difficulty challenges: A2–B1, one rule tested, but with realistic distractors that require genuine understanding.
Use "Medium" when Easy feels too obvious but Hard feels overwhelming. This is where most productive learning happens — the sweet spot of difficulty.