Mixed conditional sentence examples. Mixed Conditionals

With the help of conditional sentences, we say that something will / will not happen or could happen under certain conditions:

“If the weather is good, we will go for a walk. If she knew English, she would have found new job. If he hadn't missed the plane, he would be here."

There are four types of conditional sentences in English: 0, 1, 2 and 3.

So that you do not get confused and can correctly use all these types, in the article we will analyze each of them, and I will give you a general table of their use.

From the article you will learn:

What are conditional sentences in English?

Conditional sentences- these are sentences where there is a certain condition under which the action will occur or could occur / not occur.

For example: If he fixes the car, we will go out of town (the action will only happen if he fixes the car).

All conditional sentences consist of 2 parts:

1. The main part is the event itself

2. Condition - an event under which the action in the main part would be possible

Conditional sentences can be used when we say:

• About real events

For example: If they go to the cinema, they will call me (if the condition is met, the event will happen).

• About unreal events

For example: If he had money, he would buy this phone (the event is unrealistic, since he has no money).

There are 4 types of conditional sentences in English.

Let's look at each of them.

Zero type of conditional sentences in English

Zero Conditional

When are null conditionals used?

We use this type of conditional sentences when we describe events, things, phenomena that are always real and true.

It can be:

• Scientific facts
• Nature laws
• Common Statements
• Obvious statements
• Actions that always take place under such conditions

For example:

If you hit hard, you will bruise (obvious statement)

How are conditional sentences of the zero type constructed?

This conditional type of sentence is the easiest.

Since we are talking about events that are always true, both parts use Present Simple (simple present).

The scheme of such a proposal:

Actor + action + if + actor + action

Attention: If we are talking about one person (he, she, it), do not forget to add the ending -s / -es to the action.

If you heat ice, it melts.
If you heat the ice, it will melt (this always happens).

if she cleans in a flat, she listens to the radio.

And now let's move on to conditional sentences of the 1st type.

The first type of conditional sentences in English

First Conditional

When are conditional sentences of the first type used?

Such sentences are used when we are talking about real events in the future. That is, if the condition is met, then the action will occur in the future.

For example:

If we meet on the weekend, we will go to the museum (the action will happen if the condition is met).

How are conditional sentences of the first type constructed?

Let's look at how the main and conditional parts are built in such a sentence.

The main part contains an action that will or will not happen in the future. Therefore, in this part we use the time Future Simple (simple future tense), which is formed using the verb will.

For example:

I will buy this dress….
I will buy this dress....

He will pass an exam….
He will pass the exam...

The conditional part contains a certain condition, upon occurrence or non-occurrence of which the action from the main part will take place.

In this part we use present time Simple (simple present), despite the fact that we translate it into Russian in the future tense.

For example:

if she studies hard…
If she studies hard...

if they come…
If they come...

The scheme of such a proposal:

Actor + will + action + if + actor + action

She will come if she feels well.
She will come if she feels good.

They will help you if you ask them.

The second type of conditional sentences in English

Second Conditional

When is the 2nd type of conditional sentences used?

We use such sentences when we talk about imaginary situations in the present and the future. The events referred to in such sentences are unlikely or unrealistic.

For example:

If it were warm, we would go for a walk in the park (but it's cold now, so these events are unrealistic).

How are conditional sentences of the 2nd type constructed?

Let's look at both parts.

The main part is formed with would. When constructing a sentence, we put would after the protagonist, and then comes the verb in initial form.

For example:

She would buy the phone…
She would buy this phone...

They would come...
He would come...

In the conditional part, we use the time Past Simple (simple past tense).

Depending on the verb, this tense is formed like this:

• if the verb is correct, we add the ending -ed (cook - cooked)
• if the verb is not correct, we put it in the 2nd form (see - saw).

For example:

if she had enough money…
If only she had enough money...

if they knew English…
If only they knew English...

The outline of such a proposal would be:

Actor + would + action + if + actor + regular -ed verb or 2nd form irregular verb

They would go to the cinema if he bought tickets.
They would go to the cinema if he bought tickets.

She would cook dinner if she had enough time.
She would cook dinner if she had time.

The third type of conditional sentences in English

Third Conditional

When is the 3rd type of conditional sentences used?

We use this type of conditional when talking about unrealistic situations that might or might not have happened in the past under certain conditions.

For example:

He would not have been late for work if he had caught the bus (but he did not have time and was late, so these events are unrealistic, they cannot be changed).

How are conditional sentences of the 3rd type constructed?

Let's look at both parts.

The main part is formed with:

• would
• 3rd form of an irregular verb or a regular verb with the ending -ed

For example:

They wouldhave passed the exam…
She would pass this exam....

He would have come…
He would come...

In the conditional part we use the past perfect tense, which is formed with:

• auxiliary verb had 3rd form
• an irregular verb or a regular verb ending in -ed

For example:

if she had worked hard…
If only she worked hard...

if they had found out the truth…
If only they found out the truth...

The scheme of such a proposal would be as follows:

Actor + would + have + 3rd form action + if + actor + had + 3rd form action

They would have won that game if they had trained enough.
They would have won that game if they had practiced enough.

She would have lived abroad if she had got married him.
She would live abroad if she married him.

General table of using conditional sentences

And now let's look at the general table to consolidate the use of these proposals.

So, we have analyzed the theory, and now let's move on to practice.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English language. Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

1. They will make a cake if they go to the store.
2. She would go to the cinema if he called her.
3. If she works, she gets up early.
4. If he graduated from that university, he would work here.
5. She will buy a new laptop if she sells the old one.

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Conditional sentences (Conditionals) are sentences with conjunction if(if). Such sentences are used very often both in Russian and in English. For example:

If the weather is good, we will go to the beach.

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

These are conditional sentences, which in English are built according to certain patterns, depending on the type of condition. Consider the structure of any conditional sentence in English.

A conditional sentence has two parts (i.e. two simple sentences, which together form one complex sentence).

One of the parts is subordinate clause with union if (if), containing the condition (If the weather is good, ...); other part - main sentence, which contains the result (we will go to the beach).

In English, unlike Russian, there are several types of conditional sentences:

• Zero Conditional(Conditional sentences of zero type);
• First Conditional(Conditional sentences of the first type);
• Second Conditional(Conditional sentences of the second type);
• Third Conditional(Conditional sentences of the third type).

The Zero Conditional. Zero Conditional Sentences

They are used when we talk about events and phenomena that are always true, real. As a rule, we are talking about scientific facts, the laws of nature, or our usual actions. If or when the condition is met, then the action will occur with a probability of 100%.

If + Present Simple, … Present Simple.

If you combine hydrogen and oxygen, you get water.

If she goes to Moscow, then she visits her sister.

In this case, we know for sure that if the condition is met, then the action will happen without fail. When we combine hydrogen and oxygen, we get water. If she goes to Moscow, she will definitely visit her sister. In such proposals, the union if (if) easily replaced by when (when), while the meaning of the sentence remains the same:

When she goes to Moscow, she visits her sister. When she goes to Moscow, she visits her sister.

Structure of zero-type conditional sentences

Conditional sentences of the zero type have the following structure: in both parts of the sentence, (present simple tense) is most often used. Modal verbs can also be used, for example, or.

If she goes shopping, she buys very expensive clothes. If she goes shopping, she buys very expensive clothes. (she always does)
If I can't fall asleep, I read. If I can't sleep, I read. (I always do this)

The First Conditional. Type I conditional sentences

Used to express situations that can happen in the future with a very high probability. It is realistic and quite possible that the condition will be met.

If + Present Simple, … Future Simple.

If the weather is good, we will go to the beach. / We will go to the beach if the weather is good.

Such offers are also called real future (real future), since the probability that the condition will be met is very high. The speaker is sure, say, 90 percent, that the weather will be fine and they will go to the beach. But there is also a possibility (albeit small, but still there) that the weather will deteriorate, and then they will not go to the beach.

Structure of Type I Conditional Sentences

Remember that type I conditional sentences have the following structure: in a conditional sentence with a union if (if) is used (present simple tense), in the main sentence-result - (future simple tense). Please also note that both parts of such sentences are translated into Russian in the future tense.

She will stay in Moscow if she gets a job. She will stay in Moscow if she gets a job.
If you buy some apples, I will make an apple pie. If you buy apples, I will make an apple pie.
If I have enough money, I will buy a new dress. If I have enough money, I will buy a new dress.
If he comes, I will be
If he doesn't come, she will be upset. If he doesn't come, she will be upset.

Note that the main clause may contain a question:

Will we take a taxi if it rains? — Will we take a taxi if it rains?

If it doesn't rain this afternoon, we can play tennis. If it doesn't rain this afternoon, we can play tennis.
If it rains, we should stay home. If it rains, we should stay at home.
If it rains, I might decide to stay home. If it rains, I might decide to stay at home.
If it rains, we are going to stay home. If it rains, we will stay at home.
Ask him to come if he calls.- Ask him to come if he calls.

The Second Conditional. Type II conditional sentences

Type II conditional sentences refer to the present or future tense. Used to express situations that are very likely not to happen in the future. It is practically unrealistic that the condition will be met (this condition may not have anything to do with reality at all, for example, when we dream of something completely impossible).

If + Past Simple, ... would + verb.

If I had enough money, I would buy a car.

If I were you, I would accept his invitation.

Such proposals are called unreal future (unreal future), since the probability that the condition will be met is extremely small. The speaker knows that he does not have money to buy a car, and most likely he will not have it in the near future, so he does not have the opportunity to buy a car, but there is a desire. But there is still a small chance. Suddenly he will receive an inheritance or win the lottery, and then the wish will come true.

Type II conditional sentences are also used in situations when it comes to something that is impossible in principle: If I were you, I would accept his invitation. (If I were you, I would accept his invitation.). But I am not you, and there is no way I can become you, so the condition cannot be met. Sentences like this are often used to give advice by expressing one's opinion. And you can just dream, knowing that this is not destined to be.

Structure of Type II Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences of type II have the following structure: in the conditional clause (past simple tense) is used, and in the main result clause - would + verb in the initial form. Both parts are translated into Russian using the particle “would”.

If I had enough apples, I would bake an apple pie. If I had enough apples, I would bake an apple pie.
We would come to your party if we had time. We would come to your party if we had time.
She would call him if she had his number. She would call him if she had his number.
If you studied, you would pass the exam. - If you studied, you would pass the exam.
What would you say if he asked you out on a date? What would you say if he asked you out on a date?

If I were you, I would study more. “If I were you, I would do more.
If I were rich, I would travel all over the world. If I were rich, I would travel all over the world.
If he were president, he would reduce taxes. If he were president, he would cut taxes.

In the main sentence-result can be used not only would, but also other modal verbs in the past tense could, might, should:

If you studied, you could pass the exam. If you studied, you could pass the exam.

The Third Conditional. Type III conditional sentences

Type III conditional sentences refer to the past tense. Used to describe situations that would or would not have happened in the past under certain conditions. In this case, we are talking about the past, so we know for sure that the condition was not met.

If + Past Perfect, ... would + have + III form of the verb.

If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.

If I had invited him, he would have come.

Such proposals are called unreal past (unreal past), since we are talking about the past and we know that the condition was definitely not met. The exam has already taken place, and I did not pass it, because I did not study. Or he didn't come to dinner two days ago because I didn't invite him. And now I'm sorry, because he would definitely come if he received my invitation. But the condition wasn't met, so the action didn't happen. It remains only to regret or, perhaps, rejoice about what happened (most often, of course, regret), but nothing can be changed.

Structure of Type III Conditional Sentences

Type III conditional sentences are constructed as follows: in the conditional sentence (past perfect tense) is used, in the main result sentence - would + have + Past Participle(past participle, that is, the third form of the verb). Note that instead of would modal verbs can also be used could or might.

If he hadn't been busy, they would have gone for a walk together. If he wasn't busy, they would go for a walk together.
We wouldn't have missed the plane if we had taken a taxi. We wouldn't have missed the plane if we had taken a taxi.
If the weather had been hot, we could have gone to the beach. If the weather was hot, we could go to the beach.
If I had woken up earlier, I might have had time to finish my work. If I had woken up earlier, perhaps I could have finished my work.

Again, note that Type III conditionals are a kind of “missed opportunity.” We are talking about what could have been, would have happened, but did not happen, because the condition was not met. Thus, we often express our regret about any events.

If he comes, I will be glad. If he comes, I will be glad.

If the main clause comes first, and then only the condition, then a comma is not placed between them:

I will be happy if he comes. I will be glad if he comes.

In the subjunctive mood of the English language, a separate place is occupied by, or to be more precise, several of its types. However, if the first four options, as a rule, are quite clear, then with mixed Conditionals many people have questions. We are talking about mixed types and their possible variants, which have non-standard methods of formation and special rules for use.

Main characteristic

Conditional sentences are known to represent special situations where a condition is present; in fact, that's why they got that name. In total there are four main types, including zero. However, the conditional mood implies the presence of several (three) more options, which are called "mixed". Their main feature is that the time in two parts - subordinate and main - will differ from the standard options.

In total, it is customary to distinguish 3 types of mixed Conditionals.

The first option is mixed Conditionals

Conventionally, the first mixed type of conditional sentences consists of the following tenses:

If - Past Perfect (Past Perfect Continuous) + Future-in-the-Past

The essence of this option is that in the subordinate part the situation refers to the past tense, and in the main part - to the present, that is, everything is quite logical regarding the time frame. It is worth noting that the word now almost always appears in the main part. Here are some examples of such proposals:

If he had finished his work last week wouldn't suffer so much now - If he had finished his work last week, he would not have suffered so much now

I wouldn't feel such a terrible headache now if I had taken my medicine in the morning - I would not have such a terrible headache now if I had drunk my medicine in the morning

Second option

Conditional sentences of a mixed type of the so-called second variant (there is no clearly marked numbered classification) have opposite tenses in the subordinate and main parts. This means that in the subordinate clause the tense of the subordinate clause of the second type will be used, and in the main clause the tense of the principal clause of the third type will be used. It looks like this:

Type 2 + Type 3

If – Past Simple (Past Continuous) + Future Perfect

As can be seen from the diagram, the rule also allows the use of a long form in the subordinate part, as in the first variant. The situation itself is logical: in the subordinate clause, the action refers to the present tense and emphasizes the situation in principle, while in the main clause it is said about something in the past that cannot be returned. Here are some of these suggestions:

If they were not so stupid, we would have taken them in our team at that tournament - If they weren't so stupid, we would have taken them to our team at that competition

I would have written this book yesterday if it were not so voluminous and boring - I would have finished this book yesterday if it weren't so voluminous and boring

Third option

Some conditional sentences in English are of mixed type, but one of their parts may be of real type. We are talking about the last, third variant of the mixed type of sentences, where the subordinate part belongs to the second type, and the main part belongs to the first, that is, it is used with a simple future tense. This option is in many ways reminiscent of zero conditionals, since there is nothing unrealistic here, and the action may well happen. The formula looks like this:

If – Past Simple (Past Continuous) + Future Simple

Here's what it might look like:

if he came yesterday, he will definitely come tomorrow - If he came yesterday, he will surely come tomorrow

She will phone in a few days if she phoned last week - She will call in a few days if she called last week

The following small table will help to display all three options for Mixed Conditionals and organize the above information:

Thus, all mixed types of conditional sentences have quite logical explanations and can be actively used in the language. It is only important not to confuse the subordinate and main parts and correctly correlate the situations.

Recently, I was lucky enough to attend a webinar of a certain lady - a polyglot, who, when asked about conditional sentences from listeners, said that conditional sentences are generally an unnecessary topic, and she personally does not use them at all when she speaks English. But all the necessary grammar is set out in her author's course, which, by the way, can be purchased at a discount! After that, someone rushed to order the author's course, but I turned off this webinar, for some reason the author's course did not hook me.

Obviously, not everyone has a relationship with conditional sentences, even polyglots and authors of miracle courses. I want to immediately draw your attention to the fact that in order to understand the material of this article, you just need to remember the forms and functions of conditional sentences, and type, because we will touch on them one way or another. I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the explanations on our website, and I really hope that they will help you.

In this article, I will talk about another type of conditional sentences. No, this is not the fourth type, but mixed.

Let's remember the structure of a conditional sentence: any conditional sentence consists of two parts: conditional part(after the if ) and main part(this is the consequence or result of the condition). In conditional sentences that you are already familiar with, both parts refer to the same time:
the first type is present or future,
the second one is real
the third is the past.

The name speaks for itself: "mixed" sentences are complex in that they combine the characteristics of two different types conditional sentences.

In mixed conditionals, different combinations are possible.

Let's look at each of the options and see what the features of each of these combinations are.

This type of mixed sentences can be characterized as follows: if something happened / did not happen in general, then in the past something could have been different. Let me remind you that conditional sentences of the second type denote imaginary actions in the present, and in the conditional part is used, and conditional sentences of the third type are imaginary actions in the past and in the main part we use the construction would have V3.

For an action that is "in general", we use the second type in the conditional part, and the result refers to the past, so the main part is taken from the third type.

As always, consider the situations for a complete understanding:

Max is an unscrupulous (bad) student. When? Actually, in the present.
Max is a bad student, so he didn't pass the test. When did he fail? Yesterday, that is, in the past.

We begin to argue: but if he was a good student / would not be a bad student (present), then he would have passed the test / would not have failed the test (in the past).
The sentence is conditional, to say the same thing in English we need an imaginary condition in the present with an imaginary action in the past. To do this, we need a conditional part from the second type and the main part from the third type:

If Max were a good student, he would have passed the test.
If Max were not a bad student, he would have passed the test.
If Max were a good student, he would not have failed the test.
If Max were not a bad student, he would not have failed the test.

Here are how many options it is possible to compose, and at the same time the content and form do not change: in the conditional part, the affirmative or negative form Past Simple is used, and in the main form, the form would have done.

And here is another example.
I can't speak French (in the present, in general). Yesterday I met a man who spoke French, but I did not understand him. I think that if I spoke French, I would understand it:

If I could speak French, I would have understood him.
I would have understood him if I could speak French.

We don't like to dance (in general, in the present). That's why we didn't go to the party yesterday. If we loved to dance, we would definitely go to a party:

If we liked dancing, we would have visited the party.
We would have visited the party, if we liked dancing.

The following variant of the mixed conditional sentence:

The situation is the opposite: if something happened in the past, then the situation in the present would be different. Do NOT confuse with the second type of conditional sentences, where the imaginary situation is fully related to the present: both the condition and the result.

So let's take a look at the situation:

My friend didn't go to university (in the past). If he had entered, he would be a student now:

If my friend had entered the University, he would be a student now.

I did not go through the city center and did the right thing: there is now a big traffic jam. If I went through the center, I would be in traffic now:

If I had driven through the center, I would be stuck in a traffic jam now.

The students did not homework so they can't answer the teacher's questions. If they had done their homework (in the past), they could answer the questions (now):

If the students had done the hometask, they would be able to answer the professor's questions.

Sometimes, but not so often, combinations of other types of conditional sentences can be found.

This combination refers to the expected events, since the main part is borrowed from the first type. Imagine you want to describe the following situation: an event in the past can affect an event in the future. For example:

Consider another option:

In mixed sentences of this type, there is a hint of distrust, since often what we know about a person contradicts his actions. Take a look at the examples:

If you are so rich, you would have bought a more expensive car. If you are so rich, you would buy a more expensive car.
If he is so intelligent, he would have got a better job. If he is so smart, he would get a better job.

After reading the article, probably many of you want to ask the question: how can I remember all this? How to use in speech? Someone, like the aforementioned polyglot lady, will convince herself that mixed-type conditional sentences are the necessary information and will not use them intentionally. Just keep in mind that if you are learning English and want to fully communicate in this language, then you will not be able to avoid conditional sentences! Agree, we often have situations that cannot be described otherwise than by a conditional sentence. If you don't plan to stay below average, then sooner or later you will need to use conditional sentences.

Practice is the only way to learn how to use any construction of a foreign language, including conditional sentences. Therefore, at first I recommend that you do as many exercises as possible, first for each type of conditional sentences, and then move on to a mixed type. Mixed-type exercises can be found in Upper-Intermediate textbooks, as well as on the Internet. But do not forget to analyze the sentences, it is important to understand what type the form is borrowed from, what time it belongs to and why this particular form is used.

Then pay attention to situations from life, and try to translate them into English. When you are convinced that conditional sentences of all types can be used regularly to describe all sorts of events, you will find them easier to digest.

And remember, at first it will not be easy, but after that you will be free to express your thoughts on foreign language, better than any unfortunate polyglots. Good luck to you, you will succeed!