Conditionals:

Third and Mixed Conditionals

3rd Conditional and Mixed Conditional


The 3rd Conditional is used to express hypothetical or alternative PAST situations and their probable results in the past

Condition clause = past perfect + Result clause = would have, might have, could have (plus a past participle)

e.g . If I hadnt studied business, I might have become a doctor

If Don had been at the meeting, he wouldnt have missed the announcement.


The Mixed Conditional is used to express hypothetical or alternative past situations and their probable effects on the present

Condition clause = past perfect + Result clause = would, might (plus the base form of the verb)

e.g. If I had got a masters degree, I might have a better job right now

If Karen hadnt taken time off to raise her kids, she might be the general manager now.



Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the third conditional or mixed conditional.

1. If I hadnt taken my current job, _____________________________________________.
2. _______________________________________ if I had studied something else in college.
3. If my current boss hadnt hired me, _________________________________________.
4. ____________________________________ if I had learned English when I was a child.
5. ___________________________________ if I had inherited a large sum of money five years ago.

The best decision Ive ever made Use 3rd Conditional Use Mixed Conditional
(in my professional life)
What was the decision?
What would have happened if you had
How would your life be different now if you
made a different decision instead?
had made a different decision?


The worst decision Ive ever made (in my professional life)
What was the decision?
What would have happened if you had
How would your life be different now if you
made a different decision instead?
had made a different decision?


The best decision Ive ever made (in my personal life)
What was the decision?
What would have happened if you had
How would your life be different now if you
made a different decision instead?
had made a different decision?


The worst decision Ive ever made (in my personal life)
What was the decision?
What would have happened if you had
How would your life be different now if you
made a different decision instead?
had made a different decision?



Conversation
Work with a partner. Discuss the following:
1. Tell your partner about a valuable skill that you possess. How would your life be different now if you had never learned this skill?
2. Tell your partner about the last presidential election in your country. What might have happened if someone else had won the
election?
3. Tell your partner about a major historical event from your countrys history. What would have happened if this event had never
taken place? How might your country be different now if this event had never happened?
4. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? How would your life be different now if you had never received this
advice?
5. Do you like to travel? Have you ever taken a trip that changed your life? Tell your partner about it. How would your life be
different if you hadnt taken this life-changing trip?


Here are some ideas to make sentences using the 3rd conditional :

Longer holiday
More free time
No lesson today

Different/better school
Study harder
Learn how to

Invest money
Spend money

Follow advice
Exercise more
Drink/eat

Think of 3 important people in your life and say how they influenced you
(If it hadnt been for my drama teacher, I wouldnt have become an actor.)

Think of 3 world events and say what might have happened if these things hadnt happened.
(If the Berlin Wall hadnt fallen, East Germans wouldnt have been able to go to the West.)

Think of three things you should have done but didn't do this morning, and three things you shouldn't have done but did last
week.