Unreal conditionals (second and third conditionals) sometimes can be mixed. We use mixed conditionals when the time of the if-clause (condition clause) is not the same as the time in the result clause (main clause).
There are two main types of mixed conditional sentences:
We use this mixed conditional sentence to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable present result. More simply, we use this mixed conditional to explain a situation which is not real both in the past and in the present.
For these sentences, we use the Past Perfect in the “if”/condition clause and the Present Conditional in the result/main clause.
If Clause (Condition) | Main Clause (Result) |
If + Past Perfect | Present conditional (would + verb) |
Note: Again, the order of the clauses does not matter. But remember, when the condition clause comes first, we put a comma after it. If the main clause comes first, we don’t need a comma. |
We can also use modals like ‘might‘ and ‘could‘ in the main clause instead of ‘would’.
We use this type of mixed conditional sentence to refer to an unreal present situation and its probable – yet unreal – past result. We use it to explain conditions that are contrary to the present reality and results that are contrary to the past reality. The time in the condition clause is now or always while the time in the main clause is before now.
In this mixed conditional sentence, the condition or “if” clause uses the Past Simple tense, and the Perfect Conditional in the main/result clause.
If Clause (Condition) | Main Clause (Result) |
If + Past Simple | Perfect conditional (would have + past participle) |
Again, we can use modals like ‘might‘ and ‘could‘ instead of ‘would’ in the result clause.
Here’s a good video from 7ESL explaining mixed conditionals:
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