3rd Conditional Compiled & Adapted by: Ms.

Roopa Ram

The structure
* if + subject + past perfect tense, subject + modal + have + past participle
If- (or dependent) clause, main clause (Condition clause, result clause)
* subject + modal + have + past participle + if + subject + past perfect,
main clause + if- (or dependent) clause (Result clause + condition clause)

When to use

* The third conditional is used to express the past consequence of an unrealistic action or
situation in the past.
For example,
 If he had studied harder, he would have passed the exam.

* The first action (studying hard) did not happen. But in the case that he happened, the
consequence was passing the exam. The third conditional is very similar to the second
conditional. But while the second conditional refers to something unrealistic now or in the
future, the third conditional refers to something unrealistic in the past.

* We often use the third conditional to express regrets – describing things we are sorry
happened or didn’t happen.
For example,
 If my alarm had gone off, I wouldn’t have been late to work.
 If there hadn’t been so much traffic we wouldn’t have missed our flight.
 3rd Conditional Compiled & Adapted by: Ms. Roopa Ram

Third conditional sentences can be made without if

Had [I] (not)... But for... / If it hadn't been for...

This is used in a more formal style.
Had she known about the problems, she
wouldn't have bought it.
If she had known about the problems, she
wouldn't have bought it.
Had I not taken out insurance, it would have
cost me a fortune.
If I hadn't taken out insurance, it would have
cost me a fortune.
These forms are used to emphasize that
someone or something was responsible for a
particular outcome (good or bad)
But for Cynthia, we would all have got lost.
If it hadn't been for Cynthia, we would all
have got lost.
Cynthia saved us from getting lost.
But for the time we wasted looking for a
petrol station, we would have got there on
time.

If it hadn't been for the time we wasted

looking for a petrol station, we would have
got there on time.
If we hadn't wasted time looking for a petrol
station, we would have got there on time.

We use should have / shouldn’t have to criticize past action

 3rd Conditional Compiled & Adapted by: Ms. Roopa Ram

Additional Notes on Gerund & Infinitive

Gerunds Infinitives

A gerund is a verb in “-ing” form that is An infinitive is made up of “to + verb” and is
used as a noun. It becomes the subject or also used as a subject or object in a sentence,
object of a sentence. though much less commonly as a subject.

Examples: Examples:
I enjoy baking on the weekend. We all want to watch a movie this weekend.
(The gerund, “baking,” is the object.) (The infinitive, “to watch,” is the object.)

Studying is important. (“Studying” is the To write her novel in peace and quiet was all
subject.) she wanted.
(The infinitive, “to write,” is the subject.)
We discussed not attending the concert.
(Negative form = “not”+ gerund)
Here is a list of verbs that are commonly
Below is a list of verbs that are commonly followed by infinitives:
followed by gerunds:
offer wish
enjoy suggest promise intend
quit finish hope learn
discuss stop decide tend
think/talk about recommend prepare wish
mind put off
Examples:
Examples: We offered to give them a ride home.
Let’s consider spending more time on this
paper. I intend to finish my paper early.

She quit worrying about punctuation.
It is incorrect to follow these verbs with
infinitives:
We considered to stay up late and study.
Our teacher enjoys to read our essays.
It is incorrect to follow these verbs with
gerunds:
I promise helping you revise your essay.
Let’s prepare researching the topic at the
library.
 3rd Conditional Compiled & Adapted by: Ms. Roopa Ram

Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning changes
depending on which is used.

Examples:

She forgot closing the door behind her. (She closed the door but forgot that she did so.)
She forgot to close the door. (She did not close the door.)

He stopped eating. (He was eating, and now he is not.)

He stopped to eat. (He was doing some activity and stopped in order to eat.)

Finally, some verbs can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive with no change in meaning.

Examples:

The family likes swimming. I prefer sitting in the front row.

The family likes to swim. I prefer to sit in the front row.