Third Conditional Sentence
Third conditional sentences are used to show if something was different in the past then the present would also be different.
In this lesson, you’ll learn when to use and how to structure these sentences.
When and how to use third conditional sentences?
Third conditional sentences are used to show a hypothetical situation where if an action happened in the past then the present would be different.
E.g If I had studied harder for my exam, I would have passed. (I didn’t study hard in the past but if I did I would have passed)
There are two clauses in a sentence;
- If clause – past perfect
- Main clause – modal verb + have + past participle
The clauses can be swapped over.
For example, if I had studied harder, I would have passed. I would have passed if I had studied harder.
- For negatives, add ‘not’ to had or the modal verb.
Examples
If I had finished the project earlier, I could have gone to the cinema with my friends.
He wouldn't have been tired if he had gone to bed earlier.
If I had cleaned my house, I could have made a beautiful dinner.
Practise
Fill the gap with the correct form of the verb.
Common mistakes learners make
- Using past simple instead of past perfect in the -if clause
- Using the third conditional for situations which are still possible
Common mistakes learners make
- Using past simple instead of past perfect in the -if clause
- Using the third conditional for situations which are still possible