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.
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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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
There are two rules that have to be remembered:
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.
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. |
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. |
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