Mixed Conditionals: Useful Structure, Usage and Examples

Mixed Conditionals! >In many English conversations, you might see the use of a mixture of conditionals and this is known as a mixed conditional sentence. This means that the speaker is referring to an event which may or may not have happened in the past which are hypothetical. For example, ‘if I had done my homework, I wouldn’t be in detention right now.’

In this section, we are going to be looking at how we can use the mixed conditional as well as the rules surrounding its use, giving us a clearer picture of when to use it.

What Are Mixed Conditionals?

Learn how to use the Mixed Third/ Second Conditional and the Mixed Second/ Third Conditional with structure, usage and example sentences.

Mixed conditionalusually refers to a mixture of the second and third conditionals (the counterfactual patterns). There are two types of mixedconditional sentence.

• Mixed Third/Second Conditional
• Mixed Second/Third Conditional

Mixed Third/ Second Conditional

The mixed conditional describes present result of a past condition.

Structure of Mixed Third/ Second Conditional

In this type of mixed conditional sentence, the tense in the ‘if‘ clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional.

If + Past Perfect, Present Conditional (would/wouldn’t + Verb (bare form)).

For example:

• If Ihad listenedto your advice, Iwouldn’t bein the mess.
• If hehad checkedthe map, hewouldn’t belost.
• If Ihad goneto university, Iwould bea doctor now.

Using the Mixed Third/ Second Conditional

We use the mixed third/second conditionalto express that if something had been different in the past there would be a present result.

For example:

• If you had taken the course, you would know about it.

Mixed Second/ Third Conditional

The mixed conditional describes past result of a present or continuing condition.

Structure of Mixed Second/ Third Conditional

In this second type of mixed conditional sentence, the tense in the ‘if‘ clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional.

If + Past Simple, Perfect Conditional (would/wouldn’t + have + Past Participle).

For example:

• If Iwerea good cook, Iwould have invitedthem to dinner.
• If youweren’tsuch a poor dancer, youwould have gota job in the chorus line in that musical.

Using the Mixed Second/ Third Conditional

We use the mixed second/third conditionalto express that due to certain present conditions something already happened in the past.

For example:

• If you were better at speaking in public, the presentation would have been more successful.

Note

In these mixed conditional sentences, you can also usemodalsin the main clause instead ofwouldto express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.

For example:

• If he had enough money, hecouldhave done this trip toHawaii.
• If he’d gone to university, hemighthave a better job.

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Conditionals – Wish – Unless

Conditionals in English

• Zero Conditional
• Conditional Sentences Type 1
• Conditional Sentences Type 2
• Conditional Sentences Type 3
• Mixed Conditionals
• How to Use UNLESS
• How to Use WISH

上次更新202年2月27日3