Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option.
If I ________ a child, I would play in the rain.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → were
Complete sentence: If I were a child, I would play in the rain. The speaker is not a child now and only imagines it. “Would play” shows an imagined situation.
| Option | Form and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) have been | the present perfect: it does not go with “would play” in the other part | I have been a member of this club for two years. |
| (2) were (answer) | If + past form for something not true now, with would + verb in the other part. With “be”, were is used for every subject, even “I” | If I were rich, I would buy a big house for my parents. |
| (3) am | “If I am” is for a real, possible situation. It goes with “will”, not “would” | If I am free tomorrow, I will visit you. |
| (4) will be | “Will” is not used in the if-part of such a sentence. It goes in the other part | If it rains, the match will be cancelled. |