Third conditional in English
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This chapter will explain the third conditional in English. This conditional is used to express a hypothetical situation of the past. This situation is a fact of the past but has not happened, but we would like it to have happened.
Lesson outline
Hide- 1.Definition and usage of the third conditional
- 2.Structure of the third conditional
- 2.1.Two rules to remember
- 3.Mixed conditionals in English
- 3.1.Class 1 of mixed conditionals
- 3.2.Class 2 of mixed conditionals
- 4.Exercises
- 4.1.Exercise to fill in the third conditional in English
- 4.2.Practice the third conditional in English
- 4.3.Fill in the English third conditional to complete the sentences
- 4.4.Form the third conditional in English
Definition and usage of the third conditional
The third conditional refers to a situation that is in the past, and is contrary to reality.
| Situation | Example |
|---|---|
| Hypothetical situation of the past. |
|
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Structure of the third conditional
The third conditional consists of two clauses, the 'if clause' and the 'main clause'. The structure of the third conditional begins with the word 'if' followed by the past perfect tense that establishes the condition, which is the 'if clause'. The 'if clause' is followed by the 'main clause' which describes the result using the perfect continuous conditional or perfect conditional.
Structure: If + past perfect + perfect continuous conditional or perfect conditional.
| If clause (condition) | Main clause (result) |
|---|---|
| If I had known then what I know now, | I would have acted differently. |
| If my parents had given me the money, | I would have paid the bill. |
The perfect conditional conditional tense has three elements: would + have + past participle
Two rules to remember
There are two rules that have to be remembered:
- 'would' can never appear in the if clause
- 'had' can never appear before 'have'.
Mixed conditionals in English
This type of conditional refers to a time in the past but the situation is ongoing into the present. There are two classes of mixed conditionals.
Class 1 of mixed conditionals
This type of mixed conditional sentence refers to an unreal condition in the past with a probable result in the present.
Structure: If + past perfect + present conditional.
| If clause (condition) | Main clause (result) |
|---|---|
| If I had worked harder in school, | I would have a better job now. |
| If you had gone with them in a car, | you would be dead now. |
Class 2 of mixed conditionals
This class of mixed conditional sentences refers to an unreal situation in the present with a probable result for something that could have happened in the past.
Structure: If + simple past + perfect conditional.
| If clause (condition) | Main clause (result) |
|---|---|
| If I wasn't afraid of snakes, | I would have touched it. |
| If my English was better, | I would have been able to translate your essay. |
Train your skills by doing the exercises below!
Exercises
- Exercise to fill in the third conditional in English
- Practice the third conditional in English
- Fill in the English third conditional to complete the sentences
- Form the third conditional in English
Exercise to fill in the third conditional in English
Practice the third conditional in English
Fill in the English third conditional to complete the sentences
Form the third conditional in English
Exercises
- Exercise to fill in the third conditional in English
- Practice the third conditional in English
- Fill in the English third conditional to complete the sentences
- Form the third conditional in English
Exercise to fill in the third conditional in English
Practice the third conditional in English
Fill in the English third conditional to complete the sentences
Form the third conditional in English
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