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Third Conditional Impossible Because It S in The Past: Structure

The third conditional is used to discuss hypothetical situations in the past that cannot be changed, often for criticism or advice. Its structure involves using 'if' followed by 'had' and a past participle, with the result clause using 'would have.' Examples illustrate the certainty, possibility, and probability of outcomes based on past actions.

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27 views2 pages

Third Conditional Impossible Because It S in The Past: Structure

The third conditional is used to discuss hypothetical situations in the past that cannot be changed, often for criticism or advice. Its structure involves using 'if' followed by 'had' and a past participle, with the result clause using 'would have.' Examples illustrate the certainty, possibility, and probability of outcomes based on past actions.

Uploaded by

Xavi Mora
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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THIRD CONDITIONAL

Impossible because it´s in the past


The third conditional is used to hypothesize about situations that have already happened, and therefore have
zero percent chance of becoming true.
We use this particulare conditional a lot when we want to complain about or criticize something from the past.
It can also be used to give advice after something has happened to help us learn how to deal with similar
situations differently in the future.

Structure

if + subject +HAD + past participle, subject + WOULD + HAVE + past participle

 If I hadn't eaten so much, I wouldn't have felt sick


 If we had taken a taxi, we wouldn't have missed the plane

Remember, we can change the order and put the result clause first. The only difference is that the
comma is no longer needed.

We use WOULD when we feel certain about the result, COULD when we think it´s a POSSIBLE
result, and MIGHT when we think it´s a PROBABLE result.

Examples

 If I had had more time, I would have studied Japanese. (certain)


 If they had been here, they could have helped us move the furniture. (possible)
 If she had known what happened, she might have been angry. (probable)

Put in the correct third conditional verb form:

1. If she ______________ (study), she ______________ (pass) the exam.

2. If we ______________ (arrive) earlier, we ______________ (see) John.

3. If they ______________ (go) to bed early, they ______________ (not / wake) up late.

4. If he ______________ (become) a musician, he ______________ (record) a CD.

5. If she ______________ (go) to art school, she ______________ (become) a painter.

6. If I ______________ (be) born in a different country, I ______________ (learn) to speak a different


language.
EXERCISE Translate the sentences.

1. Si yo hubiera ganado la lotería, habría viajado alrededor del mundo


2. Si yo hubiera leído el libro, no habría reprobado el examen.

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