Conditional Clauses, Part II
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Claudia ReyConditional Clauses, Part II
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Claudia ReyThird Conditional
It is used for situations which are in the past, and are contrary to the
facts in the past, they are imaginary. Therefore, they can be used as
means of criticism or regret.
If + past perfect Would +have +past participle
If you had told me about the meeting, I would have come. (but you didn’t tell me, so
I did not come, and it is too late to change that)
If the weather had been nicer during our stay in Lisbon, we would have enjoyed it
more. (unfortunately, the weather wasn’t that nice, so we couldn’t enjoy it more)
If your car hadn’t broken down, you would have arrived in time for the movie.
(but your car broke down, so you were late)
Mixed Conditionals
Sometimes we mix different conditional clauses so as to express a specific
situation, when the context permits us to do so. For example, we want to refer to
a past situation that didn’t happen, so as to emphasize how our life would be
different now (but it is not). Have a look at different ways of combining
conditional clauses.
Type 2 (past simple) Type 3 (would have past participle)
If you were more sensible, you would not have spoken to your boss like that.
(If you were more sensible – but you are not, in general, as a person – you would not
have spoken to your boss like that, but you did say something you shouldn’t have.
If one of us spoke Spanish, we would not have had problems ordering food.
(if one of us spoke Spanish, but we do not speak Spanish, we would not have had
problems, but we did have problems ordering food)
Type 3 (would have past participle) Type 2 (past simple)
If she hadn’t missed the bus, she would be here now.
(If she hadn’t missed the bus, but she did, she would be here now, but she is not here)
If I had studied Biology instead of Chemistry, I would be happier with my job today.
(If I had studied Biology, but I didn’t – I studied Chemistry, I would be happier with the
job I do today, but I can’t be)
Write the sentences in the correct conditional form. You need to paraphrase
each sentence, taking into account the notes given. There are more options for
some sentences (try to think of as many as you can). Here is an example:
You forgot to set your alarm last night, and you were late for work.
If I hadn’t forgot/forgotten to set my alarm, I wouldn’t have been late for work. OR
If I had set my alarm last night, I would have arrived on time for work.
1. You went to your friend’s party and you met your ex boyfriend.
2. Your new friend didn’t know you don’t eat seafood, so she took you to a seafood
restaurant.
3. You are very tired today because you wrote an essay all night.
4. Peter is disappointed because his favorite football club lost an important match.
5. Sheila doesn’t have any money because she quit her job before finding a new one.
6. Harry didn’t quit smoking when the doctor told him to do so, and now he has
serious health problems.
7. You didn’t study for Math exam and you failed the test.
8. Garry bought a pair of jeans without trying them on. Now he tried them on and they
do not fit.
9. Annie got invited for a second interview, but she did not see the email on time. It’s
too late.
10. We bought a new laptop for $800. Today we saw the same laptop in another
store, offered at a discount.
11. You didn’t fix your car before the trip, and you knew you it had some
problems. Now you are stuck in the middle of the road.