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.
Try this exercise to test your grammar.
- Grammar test 1
Read the explanation to learn more.
Grammar explanation
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.
Do this exercise to test your grammar again.
- Grammar test 2
Hello Ahmed Imam,
The phrase would have been has a past time meaning, so it is incompatible with the time reference now. Either of these is possible:
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Ahmed Imam
The first sentence is correct, but in the second 'unless' is not correct -- instead it should have 'if ... not' ('If you hadn't rung me, I wouldn't have come to see you').
This is explained in detail on this Cambridge Dictionary page. I think that will clear it up for you, but if you have any other questions, please let us know.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Ahmed Imam
I would say 'I get' here, but I think it's fine to say 'have got' here.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello jumairs,
Both sentences are grammatically correct, but there is a difference in meaning.
The second sentence describes a past situation which did not happen (an unreal past) and a present result which is not true (unreal present). There is no ambiguity in this sentence: it deals with events which we know did not happen/are not true.
The first sentence describes a past situation which may be true (a possible past) and a present result which may be true (possible present), but which the speaker may find doubtful. You can think of this sentence as having the following meaning:
We might use this sentence when we are doubtful about a person's claim. For example, if a person says that they went to bed yesterday, but we aren't sure if it is true because they look so tired.
I hope that helps to clarify it for you.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello MortazaAyabenzer,
Both forms are possible here. The perfect infinitive (to have achieved) adds emphasis to the fact that the action is no longer possible, but this is already clear from the first part of the sentence.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team