Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) Practice Test

What is the structure of a statement that can be expressed in the form "if p, then q"?

1. Past simple

2. Present simple

3. Future continuous

4. Present perfect

The correct answer is: Present simple

The structure expressed as "if p, then q" is known as a conditional statement, specifically a first conditional when dealing with factual situations or general truths. The present simple form is commonly utilized in these types of statements. In this construction, "p" represents the condition (the "if" part), and "q" represents the result (the "then" part). An example would be: "If it rains, then the ground gets wet." Here, both portions of the statement utilize the present simple tense, as it conveys a general rule about what happens under a certain condition. Other tenses, such as past simple, future continuous, or present perfect, do not fit this structure effectively for conditional statements, as they either convey different time frames or suggest completed actions rather than ongoing conditions and outcomes. This reinforces why the present simple is the proper choice for constructing conditional statements in this format.