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 Nyan Htoo Pai,
Most of these are fine - well done!
In the fourth example you should use the past participle (third form) 'known' rather than 'know'.
The first sentence is fine grammatically (in terms of the verb forms used) but I think some of the vocabulary should be changed. Here's one alternative:
I tihnk go back in time does not work here as we would see going back in time as a present action - somthing you do now which changes the past rather than something which happened earlier in your life: if I could go back in time I would do...
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
very clear explained
"Very well explained" or "Very clear explanation" would be the correct sentence.
I wouldn't have found a good job if I hadn't moved to Thailand.
Is that correct?
Hello naw_nam,
Yes, that's correct. Well done!
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
It is a handy and helpful site. If it wasn't, I wouldn't have spend much time studying with it.
If had known this site of British council early my English level would be better than now.is it correct please
Hello koudous1425,
The verb forms in your sentence are fine. I'd change only a couple of small things:
If had known about this British Council site earlier, my English level would be better (than it is (now)).
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team