Third and Mixed conditionals
Third and Mixed conditionals

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The table below shows the forms and uses of the third and a mixed conditional. Read the information given and then move on to the questions on the next page.

Type Usage Form Example
Third  

To speculate about a possibility in the past which did not actually occur

(often used to talk about regret)

 

If + past perfect… + would have + past participle If it had always been compulsory to wear seatbelts, many more victims of car accidents would have survived.
Mixed*

 

To link a past action with a present result

(This is a mixture of a 3rd and 2nd conditional)

 If + past perfect… + would + base verb  If the Government had introduced environmental protection laws sooner, air pollution levels would be lower.

*N.B. other types of mixed conditional are also possible

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