Conditionals: third and mixed

Do you know how to use third conditionals and mixed conditionals? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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: Conditionals 2: 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: Conditionals 2: Grammar test 2

Try another grammar lesson

Language level

B1 Intermediate

B2 Upper intermediate

If I had got the job in other sity, I would go by train three hours ewery day.
I would have still worked in the kindergarten, if I had not changed my job.
If I had not moved to Germany, I would not be married now.

No comma required in the second sentence.

I will pass the IELTS exam as soon as I know all grammar
I will go to USA as long as I get the visa
I will marry her as long as I finish the University

I had not been Ankara, I would not have met my wife

If I had not been to Ankara, I would not have met my wife.

I am so confuse about the mixed conditional (present/past), I feel it like time travel and make no sense, like the sentence:

If I were rich, I would have traveled around the world last year

I think it should be

If I had been rich, I would have traveled around the world last year

I think every mixed condional (present/past) sentences they use as example in internet can be replace with the third conditional ones, except sentences with "if" clause are generally not true like: "If I were you"

Am I right?

Hello vinnh0412,

The condition in a conditional sentence must come before the result as otherwise it would involve time travel, as you say. However, sometimes the condition is a general one - something that is true in the past and the present - and in this case we can use a past simple form in the if-clause:

If Sue weren't such a nice person, she wouldn't have been invited.

Being a nice person is a general truth about Sue. It was true in the past and it is still true, so we can use the past simple without needing any time travel.

Your example is a little odd as being rich is not usually something that is generally true - our material status can and does change over time. However, clearly the speaker sees this as an inherent part of who they are rather than merely something true at a particular moment.

I think every mixed condional (present/past) sentences they use as example in internet can be replace with the third conditional ones, except sentences with "if" clause are generally not true like: "If I were you"

No, I wouldn't say that. Changing the form in the if-clause can change the meaning. For example:

If you weren't so rude, you might have got the job.

If you hadn't been so rude, you might have got the job.

The first sentence tells us that you are a rude person in general; it is a characteristic, not just behaviour at a given moment. The second sentence tells us only that you were rude at a particular moment - you may be a very polite person most of the time.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

If I had had the money, I would've travelled to Canada with her

2. If I hadn't eaten so many candies, I wouldn't have tooth decay

3. If I didn't have cats, I wouldn't have bought cat litter

Hello Winnie0900,

I will try to understand the meanings of the sentences you have written above:

I didn't have money in the past, so I didn't travel to Canada with her in the past. This sentence does not tell us whether or not I have money now. It may well be that I have money now.
I ate so many candies in the past, so I had tooth decay in the past.
This sentence doesn't make any sense to me, does it?

Will anyone comment?

Shetu Yogme

Hello,

G.Russel is an active F1 driver.

Journalist: If you weren't a Formula 1 driver, what would you want to do instead?
G.Russel: I used to say if I wasn't a Formula 1 driver, I would've liked to have been a footballer.

What does "would've liked to have been" mean? It looks intimidating.

Thank you.

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