Third Conditional

When do I use the Third Conditional?

The Third Conditional (Third If Clause) is used to express a different result in the past.

How do I form the Third Conditional?

If + condition (Past Perfect), result (would have + verb at participle)

If she had drunk the potion, she would have died.

The result can precede the condition, e.g.: She would have died if she had drunk the potion.

Affirmative / Interrogative / Negative

Verbs can be used in the affirmative, interrogative or negative forms, in any combination.

+&+ If she had drunk the potion, she would have died.

+&– If she had drunk the potion, she would not have lived.

+&? If she had drunk the potion, would she have died?

–&+ If she had not drunk the potion, she would have lived.

–&– If she had not drunk the potion, she would not have died.

had not = hadn't: If she hadn't drunk the potion..

would not = wouldn't: ..she wouldn't have died.

Examples
1st person
If I had studied architecture, I would have focused on urban design.
Singular

2nd person
If you had been in my position, what texture would you have chosen?
Singular

3rd person If the princess had listened to the fairy, she would have arrived at the
Singular castle.

1st person
If we had followed the guidelines, the show would have been better.
Plural

2nd person
If you had played the drums, you would have been in a band.
Plural

3rd person
If they had used marble, the monument would have been a masterpiece.
Plural

Surprise!

 We can also use other perfect modals in Third Conditionals. The meaning of the sentence
changes accordingly.
e.g.: If she had drunk the potion, she could have died.