• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Conditionals (zero, first, second, third); The subjunctive: if I were, I wish it were, I suggest she be). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Choose the verb form that completes the conditional sentence. If I ___ you, I would apologise. (am / were / had been / will be) → werePrompt: Is it always true, likely in the future, imagined now, or imagined about the past?
2. Choose the correct verb form for formal English. The doctor recommended that he ___ more water. (drinking / drink / drank / drinks) → drinkPrompt: Is it imaginary (if, wish, as if)? Or a demand/suggestion (insist, suggest, essential that…)?
3. Which sentence uses the subjunctive correctly? • If I were in charge, I would make lunch longer. • If I am in charge, I would make lunch longer. • If I was in charge, I will make lunch longer. • If I be in charge, I would make lunch longer. (If I were in charge, I would make lunch longer. / If I am in charge, I would make lunch longer. / If I was in charge, I will make lunch longer. / If I be in charge, I would make lunch longer.) → If I were in charge, I would make lunch longer.Prompt: Look for if, wish, as if, or a verb like ask/insist/suggest + that.

• Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
• Share the objective: Mixed conditionals: past cause, present result (and vice versa). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Choose the verb form that completes this mixed conditional. If I had gone to bed earlier, I ___ so tired now.
• Step 1: Mixed conditionals combine a past condition with a present result, or a present condition with a past result.
• Step 2: Past action → present feeling.
• Step 3: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "If I had gone to bed earlier, I wouldn't be so tired now."
• Step 4: So the answer is: wouldn't be
• Answer: wouldn't be
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Is this sentence correct in formal written English? If she weren't afraid of heights, she would have joined the climbing trip last summer. (correct / incorrect) → correctPrompt: Look for time words: now, today, yesterday, last week. Which half is past and which is present?
2. Choose the verb form that completes this mixed conditional. If I spoke Japanese, I ___ the guide yesterday. (understood / would have understood / will understand / would understand) → would have understoodPrompt: Look for time words: now, today, yesterday, last week. Which half is past and which is present?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Is this sentence correct in formal written English? If I spoke Japanese, I would have understood the guide yesterday. (correct / incorrect) → correctPrompt: Look for time words: now, today, yesterday, last week. Which half is past and which is present?
2. Choose the verb form that completes this mixed conditional. If he were more organised, he ___ the deadline last week. (didn't miss / won't miss / wouldn't have missed / wouldn't miss) → wouldn't have missedPrompt: Look for time words: now, today, yesterday, last week. Which half is past and which is present?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-10.