Question

Fill in the blank with the appropriate word. I'll help him if he.......

• A. ask
• B. asked
• C. will ask
• D. asks
• E. Not any of the above

Hint:

Think of the "No Will in the If" rule. Even though the action refers to the future, the "if" side of a first conditional sentence stays in the Present Simple. If the subject is He, She, or It, make sure to add that "s" to the verb!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: This question tests the knowledge of First Conditional Sentences. The First Conditional is used to express a real or possible situation in the future. The structure consists of two parts:
• Main Clause: Future Simple ($will + \text{base verb}$)
• If-Clause: Present Simple ($V1$ or $V1+s/es$)

Step 1: Identifying the Clause Types.
The sentence "I'll help him" (I will help him) is the main clause in the Future Simple tense. This automatically triggers the requirement for the Present Simple tense in the "if-clause."


Step 2: Subject-Verb Agreement.
The subject in the if-clause is "he" (third-person singular). In the Present Simple tense, singular subjects require the verb to take an "-s" or "-es" ending.ask (plural/first person form) — Incorrectasks (singular third-person form) — Correct


Step 3: Evaluating common mistakes.
Option (C) "will ask" is a common error. In English, we almost never use "will" inside the "if" part of a conditional sentence.