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Third Conditional F F..a2.: Structure

The document discusses the third conditional, which is used to talk about past hypothetical or unreal situations. It has two clauses: an "if" clause describing the condition or hypothesis, and a main clause describing the result. The "if" clause uses past perfect tense (had + past participle) while the main clause uses "would have" + past participle. Some examples are provided, as well as explanations of how the third conditional expresses criticism or regret over past situations that did not occur.

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70 views1 page

Third Conditional F F..a2.: Structure

The document discusses the third conditional, which is used to talk about past hypothetical or unreal situations. It has two clauses: an "if" clause describing the condition or hypothesis, and a main clause describing the result. The "if" clause uses past perfect tense (had + past participle) while the main clause uses "would have" + past participle. Some examples are provided, as well as explanations of how the third conditional expresses criticism or regret over past situations that did not occur.

Uploaded by

carlallopes
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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B1

… Third Conditional………………fff..A2.
The third conditional (also known as the past hypothetical conditional or conditional type 3) is used to talk
about or write about past unreal situations, past situations that didn't actually happen. Since neither action
took place, the condition is unreal.
Structure
A third conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an “if” clause (condition/hypothesis) and a main clause
(result).
“if” clause , main clause
(condition/hypothesis) (result)

• If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam. TIP


• If they had had a map, they would have found the house.
Both had and would
If the “if” clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the “if” clause can be shortened as ‘d.
But in this type of
comes second, there is no need for a comma. conditionals it is more
• I would’ve passed the exam if I’d studied harder. common to shorten “I
had” as “I’d” and “would have” as
• They would’ve found the house if they’d had a map. “would’ve”.

Explanation: I failed the exam because I didn’t study hard enough.


They didn’t find the house because they didn’t have a map.

We use different verb forms in each part of a third conditional. We usually use past perfect in the “if” clause
(condition/hypothesis) and would + have + past participle in the main clause (result).

If + subject + past perfect (had + past participle) , subject + would + have + past participle

• If we arrived earlier, we wouldn’t have missed the beginning of the concert.

We can also use the modal verbs could and might instead of would in the main clause.

subject + could + have + past participle


If + subject + past perfect ,
subject + might + have + past participle

• If your team had played better, you could have won the match.
• If Susan had been more careful, she might not have broken the glass.

Use
We use it to talk about things which didn’t happen in the past. We imagine how things would have been if
something different had happened.

• We would have gone on holiday if I hadn’t been ill. TIP


• If they had invited you to the party, would you have gone? You can get rid of the
if, just by switching the
We can also use the third conditional to express criticism or regret. word order.
EG: Had you saved
• If you had saved your money, you could have bought a computer. money, you could have
• If it had snowed, we could have gone skiing. bought a computer.

www.321LearnEnglish.com | Free ESL lessons and worksheets

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