Conditionals: third and mixed

Do you know how to use third conditionals and mixed conditionals?

Look at these examples to see how third and mixed conditionals are used.

• We would have walked to the top of the mountain if the weather hadn't been so bad.

• If we'd moved to Scotland when I was a child, I would have a Scottish accent now.

• If she was really my friend, she wouldn't have lied to me.

Explanation

Third conditionals and mixed conditionals

The if clause presents the condition (e.g., If I hadn't missed the train) and the main clause gives the result (e.g., I would have been on time). The order of the clauses doesn't change the meaning. If I hadn't missed the train, I would have been on time.

Do you know how to use third and mixed conditionals?

Third conditionals and mixed conditionals

Conditionals describe the result of a certain condition. The if clause tells you the condition (If I hadn't been ill) and the main clause tells you the result (I would have gone to the party). The order of the clauses does not change the meaning.

• If I hadn't been ill, I would have gone to the party.

• I would have gone to the party if I hadn't been ill.

Conditional sentences are often divided into different types.

Third conditional

The third conditional is used to imagine a different past. We imagine a change in a past situation and the different result of that change.

• If I had understood the instructions properly, I would have passed the exam.

• We wouldn't have got lost if my phone hadn't run out of battery.

In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually: If + past perfect >> would have + past participle.

Mixed conditionals

We can use mixed conditionals when we imagine a past change with a result in the present or a present change with a result in the past.

1. Past/Present

Here's a sentence imagining how a change in a past situation would have a result in the present.

• If I hadn't got the job in Tokyo, I wouldn't be with my current partner.

So the structure is: If + past perfect >> would + infinitive.

2. Present/Past

Here's a sentence imagining how a different situation in the present would mean that the past was different as well.

• It's really important. If it wasn't, I wouldn't have called you on your holiday.

And the structure is: If + past simple >> would have + past participle.