Mixed Conditionals
Combine past causes with present results, and present situations with past results.
15 minUpper Intermediate
1The grammar
In real life, a condition and its result do not always happen at the same time. Mixed conditionals combine the second and third conditionals so that we can connect different times.
Past condition, present result: use if + past perfect with would + base verb. 'If I had studied law, I would be a lawyer now' means I didn't study law, and I am not a lawyer today. Time words like now and today often appear in the main clause.
Present condition, past result: use if + past simple with would have + past participle. 'If I spoke French, I would have applied for the post' means I don't speak French, so I didn't apply. The condition is usually a permanent or general fact about the person or situation.
Could and might can replace would. With be in the if-clause, both were and was are used with I, he, she and it; were is more formal.
2Structure and formation
Past condition, present result
If + past perfect, would + base verb
If I had taken the job, I would be rich now.
Present condition, past result
If + past simple, would have + past participle
If I weren't afraid of heights, I would have climbed the tower.
With could or might
If + past perfect, could / might + base verb
If she had saved more, she could retire now.
3Examples
If I hadn't moved to Canada, I wouldn't know my wife.
Past condition, present result: I moved, and I know her.
If we had invested earlier, we would be in a better position today.
'Today' shows the present result.
If he were more organised, he wouldn't have missed the deadline.
Present condition, past result: he isn't organised, and he missed it.
I would have called you if I didn't have such a bad memory.
A general present fact explains a past result.
If you hadn't helped me, I might still be looking for a job.
'Might' shows a possible present result.
We would be home by now if the taxi had come on time.
The main clause comes first, with no comma.
4Common mistakes
If I had taken that course, I would have had a better job now.
If I had taken that course, I would have a better job now.
'Now' shows a present result, so use would + base verb.
If I wouldn't be so tired, I would have gone out last night.
If I weren't so tired, I would have gone out last night.
Use the past simple, not 'would', in the if-clause.
If she was a better manager, she wouldn't lose those clients last year.
If she was a better manager, she wouldn't have lost those clients last year.
'Last year' shows a past result, so use would have + past participle.
5Practical usage
Explaining your life and career
Use a past condition and a present result to talk about the effects of past choices: 'If I hadn't changed careers, I wouldn't be so happy now.'
Explaining past results
Use a present condition and a past result when a general fact explains what happened: 'If our team were bigger, we would have finished on time.'
Now practise it
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