Mixed conditionals

The four conditionals in English

There are four types of conditional sentences in English: zero, first, second and third.

• We use the zero conditional to express that a particular action always has the same result.

• We use the first conditional to express a possible condition and its result in the future.

• We use the second conditional to express a theoretical or improbable condition and its theoretical result in the present or future.
• We use the third conditional to express a theoretical past situation and its theoretical result in the past.

Here’s a quick recap of the patterns of the four conditionals:

A mixed conditional = a combination of the second and third conditional

We mostly stick to one of the above patterns when forming a conditional sentence. However, occasionally we need to express a more complex condition. For this we combine the second and third conditional patterns, using the if-clause from one and main clause from the other.

Examples of mixed conditionals

1. Start with the third conditional, follow with the second conditional

if-clause = third conditional; main clause = second

We use this to say that an imaginary situation or event in the past would have an imaginary present result:

• If I had studied hard at school, I would have a good job now.
• If they had won two more matches, they would be champions now.

We often use this type of mixed conditional to express regret.

Also note that a third conditional main clause can be used to convey the same meaning of past event and present result: I would have had a good job now and they would have been champions now.

2. Start with the second conditional, follow with the third conditional

if-clause = second conditional; main clause = third

We use this to say that an imaginary situation or event in the present would influence a past action.

• If he was fitter, he would have finished the marathon.
• If my qualifications were better, I would have applied for the job.
• If he didn’t live so far away, we would have visited him last Christmas.