If you have taken any type of English grammar course, then I’m sure you’ll know about the zero, first, second, and third conditionals. However, did you also know that there are mixed conditionals in English too?
Watch this lesson to learn how to use mixed conditionals as they are really useful for everyday English conversation.
Click here to watch this on YouTube.
Let’s start with some examples of regular conditionals. And then, we’ll look at mixed conditionals.
EXAMPLES OF REGULAR CONDITIONALS:
Zero Conditional: I get tired when I eat too much
We use this to talk about what normally happens or for facts.
1st Conditional: If it rains, we won’t go to the party
This is for real situations in the future.
2nd Conditional: I would do it if I had more time
Probably the most fun conditional – to talk about hypothetical situations.
3rd Conditional: I would have done it if I had more time
For hypothetical situations in the past.
Mixed Conditionals in English with Examples
Mixed conditionals aren’t like regular conditionals. They generally use a combination of the past, present, and future.
Past Action -> Present Result
The most common mixed conditional is when a past action affects a present result (hypothetical). In the video, I explained how I nearly bought Bitcoin in 2011. I didn’t buy Bitcoin but…
… If I had bought it, then it would be worth $1.5 million today.
(I know!). This shows how a past action affects the present result.
Here are more examples of this type of mixed conditional.
- If I had gone to the party last night, I would be exhausted now (I didn’t go and I’m not tired).
- If he had taken that job, he wouldn’t be happy (he didn’t take that job and he’s happy now).
- If I hadn’t met my wife in Ecuador, I wouldn’t be living in America now (this one is in the continuous form.
- If he had listened during English class, he would have a higher level now
Future Action -> Past Result
This one is really advanced but fun to use. Let’s say that you’re going to a wedding this Saturday. There was a party last night but you didn’t go because you wanted to be fresh for the wedding. You could say:
- If I weren’t going to that wedding, I would have gone out last night
Here’s another example:
- If I weren’t playing football tomorrow, I would have gone to the gym this morning
I didn’t go to the gym because I wanted to save my energy for the football game.
Note: learn some English football phrases here.
Present Condition -> Past Result
This is used a lot too. Look at this example:
- If I were more outgoing, I would have asked her out
In this example, I’m saying that I didn’t ask her out because I’m shy. To ask someone out means to invite them on a date. Learn more romance phrases here.
Here’s another example:
- If I were on a better salary, I would have bought that car
What to Do Now?
Here’s a quick tip: Don’t feel like you have to use mixed conditionals just because they are advanced. Instead, use them in the right situations.
I hope you found this useful. If you did, please share it with your friends. Thank you for reading!
