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 again kyawkyawsoezhu,
As I said in my first answer, the problem is that you are mixing a general statement (If I didn't drink so much...) and a result with a concrete time (now). In effect, your sentence is saying that you feel terrible now because you generally drink too much. It's possible to say this, but it's more likely that how you feel now is the result of a particular act, not general behaviour.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Priyesh,
'Would killed' is not grammatical. You need 'would have killed' here.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Ahmed Imam,
The first one is correct, and the second one is not.
All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Im1300,
No, I'm afraid not. I'd suggest you read the explanation and study the examples on this page to learn more about this. If you have any questions about specific sentences after that, please feel free to ask us.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team