Conditionals
Types of Conditionals this section covers:
- Conditionals 2
- Conditionals 3
- Mixed conditionals 2 + 3
Please notice the rule:
Rule: IF + WOULD = NO GOOD
Second conditional
The second conditional (2) is used to describe a unlikely or unreal situation in the present or in future.
Third Conditional
The third conditional form (3) is used to describe a situation from the past.
Mixed conditionals
Mixed conditionals in the form of 2 + 3 are used to if we want to describe a unreal situation from the preset which could had an effect on the past.
A mix of the conditional 3 + 2 is used when we want to describe a situation from the past which would had an impact on a situation in the present.
Form & Examples
| Conditional | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | If + past simple + would + infinitve | If I won the lottery, I would buy a car. |
| 3 | If + past perfect + would have + verb 3 | If I had studied for the exam, I would have received a better grade. |
| 2 + 3 (mixed) | Second conditional + third conditional | If I had a newer phone, I wouldn’t have missed your call yesterday. |
| 3 + 2 (mixed) | Third conditional + second conditional | If I had charged my phone yesterday, I wouldn’t need to charge it now. |