Adapted from: Farlex International. (2016). The Farlex grammar book: Complete English grammar rules (Vol. 1).
THIRD CONDITIONAL
The third conditional uses the past perfect in the if clause and a modal and present perfect in the result clause.
This form is used to talk about a hypothetical situation in the past that did not happen – typically with an
outcome that did not happen and is perhaps the opposite of what did happen.
Form: If + past perfect, modal + present perfect
Example 1: If it had rained last week, the plants would not have died.
Example 2: If I had finished college, I would have become a doctor.
MIXED CONDITIONAL
Mixed conditionals combine the second and third conditionals to present both an unreal condition either in the
past or the present and an unreal result either in the past or the present.
The first form presents an unreal condition in the past that changes an unreal outcome in the present (the past
changes the present).
Form 1: If + past perfect, modal + base
Example 1: If I had finished college, I would be a doctor now.
Example 2: If it had rained last week, the plants would be alive now.
The second form presents an unreal condition in the present that changes an unreal outcome in the past (the
present changes the past).
Form 2: If + simple past, would/could + present perfect
Example 1: If I spoke louder, you would have heard me before.
Example 2: If you were nicer, you could have had more friends when you were younger.
ADDITIONAL NOTES ON CONDITIONALS
There are a few aspects of conditionals that should be noted in order to make their use easier and clearer.
• Conditionals can be categorized as real and unreal. You can think of this as meaning possible or
impossible. Zero and first conditionals are possible as they deal with things that are generally true or
that could be true in the future. Second, third, and mixed conditionals are impossible because they are
either hypothetical or concerned with events in the past that we cannot change.
o Real Conditionals: Zero and First
o Unreal Conditionals: Second, Third, and Mixed
• In the second conditional, the simple past is used in the condition clause. If the be verb is being used, it
is typical to use were in more formal contexts. If you’re speaking informally though, was is more usual.
o Formal: If I were you, I would drink more water.
o Informal: If I was you, I wouldn’t stay out so late.