"Third conditional" in English

He third conditionaleither conditional type 3is a structure used to express a hypothetical condition in the past and its imagined outcome. For example: If Amy had gone to the party, she would have had a good time./ If Amy had gone to the party, she would have had a good time.

He third conditionalexpresses situations that cannot be changed, precisely because they occurred in the past. It is used to express regret, regret, or to imagine situations contrary to what really happened. For example: If it had been sunny, we would have had to picnic./ If it had been sunny, we would have had a picnic.

He third conditionalis the only conditional that refers to the past, for which it uses past perfect (and not past simple). For example: If I had studied Harder, I would have passed the test./ If I had studied more, I would have passed the exam.

• See also: «Conditionals" in English

structure of third conditional

Like all conditionals in English, he third conditional has a clause expressing a condition (introduced by

if), and another that expresses the result. He third conditionalhas the following structure:

Condition	Result
Ifa + past perfect,	wouldhave + past participle(conditionally perfect)
If I she had arrived earlier,	Yo would have heard the whole concert.
If I had come earlier,	I would have listened to the whole concert.

The result clause (would have + past participle) translates as "would have...", and can be modified by introducing other modal verbs (couldeither may) depending on the context.

• could have+past participle… translates to “could there be…”.
• might have + past participle… translates as “perhaps there would be…”.

Ifa can go at the beginning or in the middle of the prayer, always followed by past perfect. Comma is used only when the condition clause (if) the prayer begins. For example:

• Ifa I had known the answer, I would have given it to you.
• I would have given it to you if I had known the answer.

What is the used for? third conditional?

He third conditionalis used to express:

• Hypothetical conditions in the past contrary to what actually happened. These are situations that are impossible to change. For example: If Millie had gotten up earlier, she would have arrived on time./ If Millie had gotten up earlier, she would have been on time.
• Regrets and regrets for what was done (or was not done). For example: If Peter had been nicer, his friend wouldn't have been upset./ If Peter had been nicer, his friend wouldn't have been upset.
• Relief for things that happened (or didn't happen). For example: If I hadn't brought my umbrella, I would have gotten wet./ If I hadn't brought my umbrella, I would have gotten wet.

Attention: He third conditionalcan be combined with second conditionalforming mixed conditionals(mixed conditionals), to express hypothetical past situations with implications for the present. For example: If I had gone to bed earlier last night (third conditional), I would feel better now (second conditional)./ If I had gone to sleep earlier last night, I would feel better now.

• It can help you: «First conditional" in English

Structures related to third conditional

There are structures related to third conditional, which are used to repent, regret, and imagine past situations contrary to reality:

• I wish + past perfect. It means "I wish I had...", "I wish I had...". It is used to express hypothetical situations in which one wishes that reality had been different. For example: Yowish I had known the secret before./ I wish I had known the secret sooner.
• if only + past perfect. It means "if only", "if only". Like I wish, It is used to express the wish that reality had been different. For example: if only I had known the secret before./ If only he had known the secret earlier.
• should have + past participle. Should have + past participle it is used to express regret about what should (or should not) have been done. It means "there should be...". For example: Yoshould have studied more for the final exam./ I should have studied more for the final exam.

• See also: “I wish” – “if only" in English

Examples of sentences in third conditional

1. If we had paid more attention, we would have heard the explanation.
   If we had paid more attention, we would have heard the explanation.
2. If Bonnie she had arrived earlier, she would have met Scott at the party.
   If Bonnie had arrived earlier, she would have found Scott at the party.
3. If the weather hadn't been I'm horrible, we would have gone for a walk in the forest.
   If the weather hadn't been so horrible, we would have gone for a walk in the woods.
4. If I hadn't been sick during my trip to Spain, I might have met lots of interesting people.
   If I hadn't been sick during my trip to Spain, maybe I would have met a lot of interesting people.
5. We wouldn't have gotten lost if you had followed the directions.
   We wouldn't have gotten lost if you had followed the directions.
6. If the pandemic hadn't broken out, YO could have traveled around the world.
   If the pandemic had not started, it could have traveled around the world.
7. If I had invited Jake over, I might have been able to eat.
   If she had invited Jake, maybe she could have come.
8. Yo could have helped Jim if he had told me what his problem was.
   He could have helped Jim if he had told me what his problem was.
9. If Alex had followed My advice, I wouldn't have run into trouble.
   If Alex had taken my advice, he wouldn't have gotten in trouble.
10. If it hadn't been for Terry, we wouldn't have solved the issue.
    If it hadn't been for Terry, we wouldn't have solved the problem.
11. We would not have needed your help if we had known the answer.
    We would not have needed your help if we had known the answer.
12. If the firefighters hadn't arrived so quickly, the building would have burned down.
    If the fire brigade hadn't arrived so quickly, the building would have burned down completely.
13. If it hadn't rained all day yesterday, we would have gone cycling.
    If it hadn't rained all day yesterday, we would have gone biking.
14. If it hadn't been for Kevin, I wouldn't have gotten the tickets for the show.
    If it hadn't been for Kevin, I wouldn't have gotten the tickets to the show.
15. you would have answered my call if you had arrived home earlier.
    You would have answered my call if you had come home earlier.
16. If the washing machine hadn't broken down, we could have washed all our clothes.
    If the washing machine hadn't broken down, we could have washed all our clothes.
17. If I had studied harder, my parents would have been happier.
    If he had studied more, my parents would have been happier.
18. If they had built the roof more solidly, it wouldn't have collapsed.
    If they had built the roof more firmly, it would not have collapsed.
19. If Tony had told Paula that he loved her, she wouldn't have left.
    If Tony had told Paula that he loved her, she wouldn't have left.
20. If I hadn't said that, my friend would not have taken offense.
    If I hadn't said that, my friend wouldn't have been offended.

When is it used third conditional and when is it used second conditional?

He third conditional and the second conditional They are used in different situations:

third conditional	Second conditional
It refers to the past tense.	It refers to present/future tense.
It poses a hypothetical impossible condition.	State an improbable or impossible hypothetical condition.
If I had known that you were coming, I he would have baked to cake.	if he had the money, he wouldlive in a mansion.
If he had known you were coming, he would have baked a cake.	If he had money, he would live in a mansion.

• See also: «Second conditional" in English

What kind of conditionals exist?

The different types of conditionals that exist in English express different types of situations:

CONDITIONAL	CONDITION	EXAMPLE
Zero conditionalIf + present simple, … present simple.	Real. Factual facts in the present.	if snow is heated, Item melts. If the snow gets warm, it melts.
First conditionalIf + present simple, … will + infinitive.	Very likely in the present and future.	If the weather es nice, we'll set off early. If the weather is nice, we'll leave early.
Second conditionalIf + past simple, … would + infinitive.	Improbable or impossible in the present and future.	If I were a millionaire, I would have a helicopter. If I were a millionaire, I would have a helicopter.
third conditionalIf + past perfect, … would have + past participle.	Impossible in the past.	If the kids had paid attention, they would have understood. If the children had paid attention, they would have understood.
mixed conditionsIf + past perfect, … would + infinitive. either If + past simple, … would have + past participle.	Impossible in the past and in the present.	If I had made a reservation, we would be able to dine at this restaurant now. If I had made a reservation, we could have dinner at this restaurant now.

Follow with:

• sentences with "would”
• Sentences with "will" and "going to”
• Prayers "zero conditional” negative
• Sentences in present perfect in English

Interactive test to practice