Conditionals Mixed Type
Mixed conditional refer to conditional sentences that combine two different types of conditional patterns.
Mixed conditionals refer to conditional sentences that combine two different types of conditional patterns. The mixed conditional is used to refer to a time in the past, and a situation that is ongoing in the present.
Example
If I had won the lottery, I would buy a huge house. (I didn't win the lottery in the past and I'm living in a small apartment right now.)
The most common mixed conditional is when we have a third conditional in the if clause (if + past perfect) followed by second conditional (would + the base form of the verb) in the main clause. Note that the order of the main and if clauses are not fixed. Although when the if clause precedes the main one, use a comma.
| IF clause (If + past perfect) | MAIN clause (would + V) |
|---|---|
| If Kate had studied more, | she would have a better GPA. |
| If he had started plainting the picture in June | it would be finished now. |
The less common mixed conditional is when we have a second conditional in the if clause (if + past simple) followed by a third conditional (would have + the past participle) in the main clause. This conditional refers to an unreal present situation and its possible (but unreal) past result.
Example
If I weren't afraid of flying, I would have travelled by air. (I am afraid of flying in general. And that time I travelled by train.)
Guided Practice
Mixed conditionals refer to conditional sentences that combine two different types of conditional patterns.
Mark mixed conditionals as MC.
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If you don't let it now, you'll get more frustrated.
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If it snowed today, I would make a snowman.
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I would play the guitar if I had gone to music school.
The most common mixed conditional is when we have a third conditional in the if clause (if + past perfect) followed by second conditional (would + the base form of the verb) in the main clause.
Finish the sentences so that their meaning stays the same.
I'm not outgoing so I didn't party every week.
- If I were more ....................
I was invited to their dinner party so I didn't stay at home all day.
- If I weren't ....................
Short Story using Conditionals Mixed Type
–This is kind of upsetting. I know that if I had studied more, I would pass the exams successfully and choose another major.
–If you feel like you have enough motivation, you can still try. It's never too late to start, right?
–Yeah, but if I had submitted the documents this summer, I would be able to start studying this month. I guess I have to wait now and study more.
Independent Practice
Match the sentences.
| a. If we had talked more, | 1. They would be still together. | |
| b. Patricia would have baked something, | 2. I would have gone camping. | |
| c. If my parents had argued less, | 3. we would be close friends. | |
| d. I would be in Greece now, | 4. if I had asked her number. | |
| e. If I wasn't afraid of insects, | 5. if I had booked the flights. | |
| f. I would go on a date with Kate, | 6. if he had a car. | |
| g. Mike wouldn't have walked to work, | 7. if she liked sweet things. |
Write three sentences with mixed conditionals.
- ....................
- ....................
- ....................
Conditionals Type 3
Conditionals type 3 or third conditionals are used to describe a past event that is different to what really happened. These sentences are solely hypothetical, thus there is always some implication of regret.
Sentence Clause
A clause is a combination of words containing a subject and a predicate