Mixed Conditionals
Hi, in today’s lesson we are looking at mixed conditionals. This is when we use the
second conditional in one clause and the third in the other. This is often tested in exams
and if you use it properly in your writing will really impress. If you haven’t seen
my videos on the second and third conditional, I would recommend you check them out first
before watching this video. You can click the link above now to go that. So let’s
get started.
So we said that mixed conditionals are when we use the second conditional in one clause
and the third conditional in the other. So it could be if + second conditional, followed
by the third conditional or If plus the third conditional followed by the second conditional.
So, Let’s remind ourselves of the second conditional.
It is used to talk about hypothetical or highly unlikely present or future situations.
Its Form is
If + past simple, would + bare infinitive.
So for example,
If it wasn’t so cold, I would go for a walk.
This is hypothetical. It is cold now in the present. and has a present result, a walk
now.
Or
If I won the lottery, I would buy a fast car.
This is a hypothetical unlikely future, with a future result.
Now let’s look at the Third conditional. This is used to talk about hypothetical past
situations which didn’t happen
The form is
If + past perfect, would have + past participle
For example,
If it hadn’t been so cold, I would have gone for a walk.
This again is a hypothetical situation but in the past this time. In the past it was
cold and so I didn’t go for a walk.
So now let’s look at mixed conditionals. So we said that mixed conditionals are sentences
that combine the second and third conditionals together. either
If and the second conditional, with a third conditional result or
If with a third conditional and a second conditional result.
The most common mixed conditional combination is when we have a third conditional in the
if-clause followed by a second conditional in the main clause.
So let’s look at this mixed conditional in more detail.
The form is if + the third conditional, followed by the second conditional.
So that is if + past perfect, would + bare infinitive
For example:
If Sue hadn’t fallen off her bike, she’d be a champion now.
The if clause is a past hypothetical situation (Sue fell off her bike) so we use the third
conditional. She would be champion now is a present result (that is why she isn’t
champion now) and so we use the second conditional.
Notice that the would is very often contracted, in this case she would is contracted to she’d.
Or
If I had passed my driving test, I would be driving to London next week.
The if clause is a Past hypothetical situation ( I didn’t pass my driving test) followed
by a future result, I would be driving to London next week. (that is why I am not driving
to London next week)
Here the difference is marked by the time expression (next week) for a future result.
We can also have a second conditional in the if clause and a third conditional result.
If I weren’t so busy, I would have taken a few days off last week.
The if clause is a hypothetical present situation ( I am busy) , past result.
Or
If I weren’t flying on holiday next week, I would have accepted that new project at
work.
The if clause is a hypothetical future situation ( I am flying on holiday next week) with a
past result.
Now it’s your turn. Pause the video after each question and try and work out the answer.
Ask yourself if it refers to a present or future time or a past time. If it is a present
or future time we use the second conditional if it is a past time it is the third conditional.
Fill in the gap with either the 2nd or third conditional.
If you ….................. (waste) your money, you would be able to afford a new dress.
Hadn't wasted. this is the third conditional and it reflects a past hypothetical situation.
You did waste your money. If you hadn’t wasted your money, you would now be able to
afford a new dress, so it has a present result.
If the tickets …..................(to be )so expensive, I’d have gone to the cinema
last night.
Weren't Here it is the second conditional. the tickets are expensive now so it is a present
situation. It has a past result (you didn’t go to the cinema last night) so this clause
is the third conditional.
If he hadn't drunk so much whisky, he …...............(feel) so bad now.
Wouldn't feel this is the 2nd conditional and is used because it is a present result
to a past hypothetical situation. He did drink the whisky. So the if clause is in the third
conditional.
That’s it for now, I hope you feel more confident in using mixed conditionals. Leave
a comment down below with any questions and I promise to get back to you.
thank you for watching. Remember to like this video if you found it useful and subscribe
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Bye for now but see you very soon.
Mixed Conditionals