Lesson 19 – June 19
Pending Activities
Task 3
In each of them highlight/underline the parts (2) that form the
conditional sentence:
if part
Result part
Say if they are Type 0 or Type 1
1. Chances are increasing each day that if you're a programmer,
you won't use C exclusively for your work.
2. Learning C is highly beneficial, even if you don't use it
regularly.
3. If you're an information technology (IT) specialist, you could
also benefit from learning C.
4. The compiler checks the code for errors and, if it seems to be
error-free, creates an executable file.
5. If you're using Microsoft Windows, you can install an
integrated development environment (IDE) for C programming.
6. If you're using an IDE, be sure to adjust your settings to make
sure the IDE is using your target C version for the program
you're working on.
7. When we examine functions later, you'll see what the empty
parentheses mean.
8. Note that when you're running a C program, you're essentially
running its main function.
Task 4
Each sentence below is missing either the “if” part or the result
part. Complete each sentence logically and grammatically. Use your
knowledge of programming to make the sentences meaningful.
The app will crash ………………………………………………
If the team commits regularly, …………………………………..
The debugger highlights the line ………………………………..
The program won’t compile …………………………………….
“If I had taken that job in London, I would be living there now.”
This simple sentence shows the power of mixed conditionals in
English – they help us connect past choices to present realities,
or current situations to past events.
While regular conditionals like “If it rains, I will stay home” deal
with one time period, mixed conditionals bridge different times to
reflect how life actually works.
They are actually helpful tools for expressing cause and effect
across time, and when discussing life choices, career paths, and
personal development – situations where past and present often
interweave.
They’re called “mixed” because they combine grammar structures
from different types of conditionals (usually second and third).
How do mixed conditionals work?
Mixed conditionals come in two main types, each connecting
different time periods in unique ways.
Type 1: Past condition → Present result
This type shows how something that did or didn’t happen in the
past affects our present situation. Think of it as explaining the
current consequences of past actions or decisions.
Structure: If + past perfect, would/could/might + base verb
“If I had studied medicine (past), I would be a doctor now
(present)”
“If she hadn’t trained so much last year (past), she wouldn’t be
this fit now (present)”
“If they had invested in that company (past), they would be
millionaires today (present)”
This structure is particularly useful when expressing regrets or
explaining how past decisions have shaped current
circumstances. The past perfect (had + past participle) in the if-
clause shows the past condition, while the would/could/might +
base verb shows the present result.
Type 2: Present condition → Past result
This type explains how a current state or characteristic
influenced what could have happened in the past. It’s perfect for
discussing how permanent traits or current situations affected
past possibilities.
Structure: If + past simple, would/could/might + have + past
participle
“If I weren’t afraid of heights (present), I would have become a
pilot (past)”
“If we were better players (present), we would have won more
games last season (past)”
“If she liked mathematics (present), she would have studied
engineering last year (past)”
TIP: Never use “would” in the if-clause – it only
belongs in the result clause!
There are several realistic scenarios where mixed conditionals
naturally occur in everyday conversations:
Scenario 1: Career Discussions
“If I had specialized in data science (past), I would be earning
more money now (present).”
“If I were better at public speaking (present), I would have
applied for that management position last month (past).”
Scenario 2: Educational Choices
“If I had learned a second language in school (past), I would
have more job opportunities now (present).”
“If I weren’t so interested in technology (present), I would have
studied literature in university (past).”
Scenario 3: Sports and Athletics
“If we had trained more consistently last season (past), we would
be at the top of the league now (present).”
“If I were faster (present), I would have scored that goal
yesterday (past).”
Let’s practice
https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b2/mixed-
conditionals/
