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
Comments
If I wouldn't had been understood I can't make complex sentence though these conditions of sentence help to talking about situation which goes in the past or present situation.
Dear sir
Can we use "unless" in all forms of the conditionals sentences instead of 'if"?
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
Dear sir,
Could you please tell me that can we use , could and might instead of would for the main clause of the conditional sentence.
Ex : If you gave me money, I could buy a car.
If she saw me, she might blame me.
Please help me to solve this problem.
Thanks.
Hello Isuru0775520379
Your example sentences are grammatically correct, though they mean something different than the same sentences with 'would' -- 'might' and 'could' can both indicate possibility, and 'could' can also indicate ability.
Does that help?
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Dear sir, Thank you very much.
It's really helpful.
Hello. Please forgive my insistence to ask about "unless". I won't stop asking about "unless" until I have no confusion. I'm still can't decide if an "unless sentence" is correct or not. For example, is the following sentence correct?
- Unless Shakespeare had moved to London, he wouldn't have become an actor.
Thank you.
Hello Ahmed Imam,
The sentence is not correct. We use unless to describe things that we are not sure of, not to describe things that we know are true or not true. Since we know that Shakespeare moved to London, we would use if...not and not unless.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Thank you so much.
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