From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word or group of words as it…

Analyze the question: The sentence is "If he ____ here, he would do it for free." The main clause uses "would do", which signals a second conditional (an unreal or hypothetical situation in the present).

Explain the concept: The second conditional follows this pattern:

• If + past subjunctive/simple past, … would + base verb

In formal English, and especially in WASSCE grammar, the subjunctive mood is used for hypothetical situations. This means we use "were" for all subjects, including I, he, she, it.

Examples:

• If I were you, I would apply early.
• If she were here, she would help us.

Solution:

1. The clause "he would do it for free" shows the situation is imaginary. He is not here.
2. The if-clause therefore needs the past subjunctive, which is were.
3. Checking the options: • A. is is a real/first conditional form, which would need "will do" in the main clause. ✗ • B. was is common in casual speech, but it is not the standard form that exams expect for the subjunctive. ✗ • C. were is the correct subjunctive form. ✓ • D. will be cannot follow "if" in this type of conditional. ✗

Correct answer: C. were

Tip: When you see "If + subject + ___ , … would", think "unreal situation" and choose were. It works for every subject, so remember "If I were, if he were, if she were, if it were."