Grammar
C1AdvancedTopic: Conditionals
Third and mixed conditionals
Talking about unreal situations in the past, and how they connect to the present.
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All three patterns talk about something that did not happen or is not true. The difference is when the condition and the result belong: both in the past, or one in the past and one in the present.
Table, scrolls sideways
Pattern | If part | Main part |
|---|---|---|
Third conditional | if + past perfect | would have + past participle |
Mixed: past → present | if + past perfect | would + base verb |
Mixed: present → past | if + past simple | would have + past participle |
The third conditional
An unreal past condition with an unreal past result.
If + past perfect, ... would have + past participle
- If we had hired more staff, we would have finished the project on time.
- He wouldn't have burned out if he had taken regular breaks.
Both the condition and the result belong to the past: neither happened.
Mixed conditional: a past condition, a present result
An unreal past condition with a result in the present.
If + past perfect, ... would + base verb
- If I had taken that job, I would be earning more money now.
- She would be so much more confident today if her first presentation hadn't gone badly.
The condition is in the past, but its effect is felt right now.
Mixed conditional: a present state, a past result
A present or permanent state with an unreal past result.
If + past simple, ... would have + past participle
- If she weren't so shy, she would have spoken up at the meeting.
- If he weren't so disorganised, he wouldn't have missed that deadline.
The condition describes what someone is generally like, not a one-time past event.
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Where this rule sits
All C1 rulesConditionals and unreal situations: all rules