Mixed Conditional
Use a mixed conditional when the time of the condition and the time of the result are different — for example, a past condition with a present result, or a present condition with a past result.
Level C1
Conditionals
Summary
- Use a mixed conditional when the time of the condition and the time of the result are different — for example, a past condition with a present result, or a present condition with a past result.
Structure
if + past perfect, ... would + base verb (or) if + past simple, ... would have + past participle
Examples
- If I had taken that job, I would be rich now.
- She wouldn't be so tired today if she had slept earlier.
- If I were more organized, I wouldn't have missed the deadline.
- If he had married her, his life would be very different now.
Common mistakes
- • Keep the clauses in different time frames; don't 'correct' it to a standard conditional.
- • Don't use 'would' in the if-clause.
Related
More conditionals
First Conditional
B1
Use the first conditional for real or likely situations in the future and their probable results.
Zero Conditional
B1
Use the zero conditional for facts and things that are always true — when one thing happens, the result always follows.
Second Conditional
B2
Use the second conditional for unreal, hypothetical, or unlikely situations in the present or future, and their imagined results.
Third Conditional
B2
Use the third conditional to talk about imagined past situations that did not happen, and to express regret or criticism about the past.