If your argument is not strong enough, you … your claim to your father's property

Analyze the question

The sentence is a conditional (if-clause) sentence: "If your argument is not strong enough, you ........... your claim to your father's property."

Explain the concept

Conditional sentences follow tense patterns:

• Type 1 (real/likely future): If + simple present, … will + base verb
• Type 2 (unreal present): If + simple past, … would + base verb
• Type 3 (unreal past): If + past perfect, … would have + past participle

Show the solution

1. The if-clause is "If your argument is not strong enough", which is in the simple present.
2. A simple present in the if-clause points to a Type 1 conditional, so the main clause needs will + base verb.
3. Checking the options: • A. had forfeited is past perfect and does not match a present if-clause. • B. would forfeit is for a Type 2 conditional, which needs "were/was" or a past form in the if-clause. • C. will forfeit is future, and it matches the present if-clause. • D. have forfeited is present perfect and does not express the future result of a condition.

So the sentence reads: "If your argument is not strong enough, you will forfeit your claim to your father's property."

Answer: C. will forfeit

Exam tip

Look at the tense in the "if" clause first. Present in the if-clause → will in the main clause. Past in the if-clause → would in the main clause. A quick way to remember it is "Present-Will, Past-Would."