Conditionals: third and mixed
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
Okay, probably. Thanks.
1-The third conditional (past / past):
Example: If I had contacted the seller directly, I wouldn't have had to pay a large amount to the middleman.
Form: If + past perfect (had+past participle) >> modal + present perfect (have/has+past participle).
The fact: I didn't contact the seller. The result: I payed a large amount.
2-The Mixed conditional
a- (past / present):
Example: If I had watered the orange trees regularly, I would have a lot of fruit now.
Form: If + past perfect (had+past participle) >> modal + base.
Reality: I didn't water the orange trees. Result: Now, I haven't much fruits.
3- The Mixed conditional
b- (present / past)
Example: If the weather were beautiful, I would have gone out for a walk since the beginning of summer.
Form: If + past simple >> modal + present perfect.
Reality: The weather isn't better. Result: I didn't go out for a walk.
Hello,
Is it grammatically correct/idiomatic to use "would've already done" and "would've gotten" together?
What can be used instead of "would've gotten" except for an infinitive?
Hello Tony_M,
Yes, the perfect modal form is correct here.
You could use different modal verbs: could have, might have, should have etc.
As you say, you could use an infinitive instead of the that clause: ...done something to get her closer...a
You could also use a participle. Like infinitives, participles are non-finite verb forms which take their time reference from the context in which they appear: ...done something getting her closer...
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello again,
Thank you very much, Peter.
Would the simple past work?
Hello again Tony_M,
Yes, that's fine too.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Thank you, Peter.
Hello Peter and Tony,
I don't think the past simple would work here. The result clause is in the hypothetical past, or you can say in an imagined past.
You could apparently use the modal verbs like would or might.
I would write the sentence as follows:
And I think you could say
Does it make sense, Tony?
Shetu Yogme.
Hello Peter and LearnEnglish team,
In an comment, you say there are only two rules regarding conditional structures. One of those two rules is:
But in the following mixed conditional sentence, the condition seems to occur after the result:
In this case, 'if clause' is a hypothetical future situation with a past result. Although it seems to violate the rule stated above, it sounds fine and correct to me. I would be grateful if you could just explain.
Shetu Yogme.
Hello ShetuYogme,
In your example the condition does seem to be after the result at first glace. However, this is not the case.
If I weren't moving to my new house next month... does not describe something which was not true at the time of the party. It describes something that was true then (and so fits the rule) and which is still true at the time of speaking. What the person is really saying is that the move next month required preparation and so made going to the party impossible.
You can see a similar construction used when the condition represents general time:
- getting angry refers to a past situation; being such a rude person refers to something general, true in the past as well as the present.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team