Unreal conditionals Mixed time conditionals
We usually refer to Real and Unreal conditionals with Zero, First, Second and Third conditional types.
But the English language isn’t just restricted to 4 models of conditionals.
Often the circumstances of life require more combinations.
Often a condition from the past can have a result in the present or the future, this gives mixed times (that is, different times for the condition and the result) for unreal conditionals.
Examples:
- If John had played yesterday, he would be free today. / He would be free today if he had played yesterday.
(He didn’t play yesterday, so he isn’t free today. He is training)
- If her family had moved to England when she was 4 years old, her English would be perfect now./ Her English would be perfect now if her family had moved to England when she was 4 years old
(Her English isn’t perfect because her family moved to England when she was 18 years old.)
- If he had been working for 3 years, he would be able to buy a car this year./ He would be able to buy a car this year if he had been working for 3 years.
(He won’t be able to buy a car at any time this year because he hasn’t been working for 3 years)
- If my son had been born in 2006, he would start in secondary school this year./ My son would start at secondary school this year if he had been born in 2006
(He was born in 2008 and won’t start secondary school until next year)
A past condition can lead to a possible present or future result but not, of course, a past result
Practise all conditionals with this test at upper intermediate level
Another mixed conditional has the condition (unreal) in general time and the result in past time:
- If he weren’t so inefficient, he would’ve finished his project last week. / He would’ve
finished his project last week if he weren’t so inefficient.
(He didn’t finish his project last week because he’s very inefficient normally.)
- If I needed help, I would’ve taken my car to a mechanic. /I would’ve taken my car to a mechanic if I needed help.
(I was able to repair my car myself, so I didn’t need to use a mechanic.)
- If she walked more quickly, she would’ve arrived half an hour ago. / She would’ve
arrived half an hour ago if she walked more quickly.
(She didn’t arrive half an hour ago because she doesn’t walk quickly.)
- If Mary’s family had more money, she wouldn’t have needed to work at the weekends. /
Mary wouldn’t have needed to work at the weekends if her family had more money.
(Mary’s family don’t have a lot of money, so she needed to work at the weekends.)
Go to more lessons on CONDITIONALS here
May and Might instead of Will in First Conditional sentences
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- Zero conditionals – real conditionals
- First conditionals – real conditionals
- Second Conditionals – Unreal Conditionals