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 ShetuYogme,
I'm afraid we really do not have time to go back and read two earlier comments in order to compare with a third later comment so we can answer a fourth comment referring to them, all in order to discuss a sentence which could be part of another construction (but also may not be).
I think we've been more than patient answering your multiple questions on this topic. I hope we've provided some degree of clarity with our answers.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Shetu,
I'm afraid we don't offer such in-depth attention. The comments are here for questions directly related to what's on the page and are not for extended, in-depth discussions as the one you are trying to have here and which the team has provided for you on other pages. Please don't expect us to continue with this; we may not even publish your comments if they are not in line with what I've described here.
The British Council does offer online courses that you could consider, though really what would be best is a one-to-one class with a teacher who's very comfortable with English grammar. None of us on the LearnEnglish team are able to do this for you, and especially not here in the comments.
Best wishes,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team
Hello,
thank you for the explanation.
the third conditional seems clear for me, but the mixed conditional isn't . the rules are not very clear and similair for me.
is it rang to use only the third conditional for all exemples when reading?
Hello imiii,
Third conditionals describe past unreal/imaginary situations and their past unreal/imaginary results. If you want to change the time reference then you need to change the form, so you can't only use third conditionals as you would be limiting what you can say.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello,
Source: Mat Armstrong, Title: REBUILDING A PORSCHE 911 GT3RS FROM SCRATCH, Time: 37:40
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N8cI5Op3Uc
YouTuber Mat Armstrong is repearing his Porsche GT3 RS:
- If we had took the valves out and cleaned the top of the valves into the cylinder head, which is called lapping, then we’d risk that the valves would sit closer inside the cylinder head, which would mean that they poke out more at the top, and because of that, the shim between the rocker arm and the valve would’ve had to have been a little bit smaller, which would mean we’d have to order a lot of these shims.
Why does he need this monstrosity of a construction?
Thank you
Hello Tony_M,
The form is grammatically possible but I agree it's not great stylistically. I would use a different sentence construction, but the author does not seem particularly careful with his/her language, as the 'had took' error shows in the first sentence.
These kinds of constructions are not unusual, to be honest, when someone is speaking extemporaneously, so I think cutting the speaker some slack is called for.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Can I use (in case) in the 3rd conditional?
Ex. In case she hadn't had money, she would have bought the book.
Hello Rosa_Adele,
No, we don't use 'in case' in the third conditional. We use it to speak about present or future situations.
You might find this Cambridge Dictionary page useful.
Best wishes,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team
Hello,
I had problems with third conditional in the past, but this explanation and exercises helped me to understand it and practice a little.
So, thanks for the content.
Here are some sentences:
Hello Denise Dias,
I'm not sure your first example is good. Think about the sequence of the actions here: did the second action (would have found) come after the first (hadn't seen)?
You could say something like this: If I hadn't seen this content in the morning, I would have had many problems with the homework in the afternoon.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team