Learning English

Not just Zero to Third

In the last activity we highlighted four different conditional structures with regular patterns. These aren't the only possible conditional forms, though.

Mixed conditionals

Compare these two sentences:

• If I had studied harder at university, I could have got a good job.

(I didn't study hard enough in the past, so I didn't get a good job in the past.)

This is a standard third conditional about a condition and result in the past.

• If I had taken the job, I would be much wealthier now.

(I didn't take the job in the past, so I'm not much wealthier now in the present.)

This is a mixed conditional. The past situation leads to a result in the present, not the past.

The structure of this mixed conditional takes the if clause from the third conditional (past perfect) and result clause from the second conditional (modal verb + infinitive without to).

• If you'd taken the medicine, you'd be better by now.
• You wouldn't be so tired if you'd gone to bed in time.

Another type of mixed conditional matches the if clause from the second conditional (past simple) with a result clause from the third conditional (modal verb + have +past participle). 

• If I were taller, I could have caught it.

I'm not tall enough (now or in the past), so I didn't reach it.

In this mixed conditional a continuing situation or permanent condition has influenced something in the past. Note that this condition was the same in the past as it is in the present.

• If I were braver, I'd have picked up the spider and taken it outside.

I'm not brave enough (now or in the past), so I didn't pick up the spider (in the past).

• If I didn't have so much homework, I would have gone to the cinema.

I have a lot of homework (now and in the recent past), I didn't go to the cinema (in the past).

Read the text and complete the activity

More first conditionals

Can you remember the basic pattern for a first conditional? If you can't, here it is again.

• If you order it, I'll pay for it.

If clause: present form
Result clause: will + infinitive without to

There are some other ways a first conditional can be formed. You can have a modal likecan, may or should, in the if clause or result clause, as well as future with going to or present continuous for future. You can also have the imperative in the result clause. Here are some examples:

If you can't understand the instructions, you'll never be able to assemble the wardrobe.

If I give you some money, could you get me some wine at the supermarket?

If the weather's good on Sunday, we're going to have a picnic in Hyde Park.

If you're going to write him a cheque, make sure there's enough money in your account to cover it.

If you're not coming home until after midnight, your dinner will be in the dog.

If you're hungry, help yourself to something from the fridge.

To do

How are you feeling about conditionals now? If you're ready, do our quiz to test your knowledge! (Which conditional was that?)

Next

How did you do? Ready to relax? Well now you can sit back and listen to Callum and Finn talking about conditionals in 6 Minute Grammar, coming next.