Grammar » B2 Grammar lessons and exercises » Mixed conditionals – If I were you, I wouldn’t have done it
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  • Mixed conditionals – If I were you, I wouldn’t have done it

    Exercise 1

    Choose the correct options to complete the following mixed conditional sentences.

    1 If I hadn't fought for our relationship, we together now.

    2 I would be happier if I 'yes' when she asked me to marry her.

    3 If you weren't such a jerk, they you to yesterday's party.

    4 If you a map, as I told you, we wouldn't be lost now.

    5 If I didn't love you, I you last year.

    6 If I had more time, I you last night.

    7 If you that job, you would be miserable now.

    8 I'm afraid of flying. If I afraid of flying, we'd have travelled by plane.

    9 If you dad's car without permission last night, you might be in trouble.

    10 You wouldn't have this job if I you for the interview.


     

  • Mixed conditionals

    Mixed conditionals are a combination of two types of conditional patterns, usually the second and third conditionals. We can have a third conditional in the if-clause and a second conditional in the main clause, or a second conditional in the if-clause and a third conditional in the main clause.

    Grammar chart

    Mixed conditionals diagram

    Second and third conditionals

    In a second conditional, we use past in the if clause and would/might/could + infinitive in the main clause. It is used to talk about hypothetical situations happening in the present or future.

    • If I were rich, I‘d buy that house. 

    In a third conditional, we use past perfect in the if clause and would/might/could + have + past participle in the main clause. It is used to talk about hypothetical situations happening in the past.

    • If you had studied more, you would have passed the exam. 

    A mixed conditional is a combination of second and third conditionals.

    Mixed third/second conditional

    We use this combination to talk about a hypothetical condition happening in the past (third conditional) with a present result (second conditional). We use past perfect in the if clause and would/could/might + infinitive in the main clause.

    • If I had been elected, I would be the president now. 
    • If I had won the lottery, I would be rich.
    • I might have a better job now if I hadn’t dropped out of school.

    Mixed second/third conditional

    We use this combination to talk about a hypothetical condition happening in the present (second conditional) with a past result (third conditional). We use past in the if clause and would/could/might + have + past participle in the main clause.

    • If I were a man, they would have given me the job.  
    • If I didn’t have so much work, I would have gone to the party last night.
    • I would have understood them if I spoke German.

    Note that in this type of combination, the present condition also existed in the past when the result in the main clause took place. Let’s take a look, for example, at the first sentence:

    • If I were a man, they would have given me the job. 

    If I were a man now would mean that I would also have been a man in the past, when I was not given the job. As I’m not a man now (which implies that I wasn’t a man when I applied for the job either), I didn’t get the job.

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