B2.

MIXED CONDITIONALS

Grammar
 Second Conditional

We use the second conditional to talk about an unreal or hypothetical situation and its probable result. It can
refer to present or future situations.

It is made up of if + past simple + would + infinitive

The main clause and the if clause can be changed around without altering the meaning. The verb to be
becomes were, not was.

If I won the lottery, I would buy a car.

I wouldn’t worry if I were you.

2
 Third Conditional

The third conditional describes things that did not happen in the past.

It is made up of if + past perfect + would have + past participle

The main clause and the if clause can be changed around without altering the meaning.

If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a car.

3
 Mixed Conditionals

Mixed conditionals are made of a combination of the second conditional and the third conditional; one clause
in the second and one in the third.

The most common is to use the if clause in the third conditional, and the main (would) clause in the second
conditional. It is used to compare actions in the past with the consequences in the present.

If I had studied harder, I would have a better job now.

4
 Mixed Conditionals

Sometimes, but rarely, we use the if clause in the second conditional, and the main (would) clause in the third
conditional. It is used to express an impossible condition in the present with the actions in the past.

In the below example, is Pablo organised now? Was he before? Did he lose all his things?

If Pablo were more organised, he would not have lost all of his
things!