Home » Verb Forms and Tenses » Conditionals » Mixed Conditionals
It is possible to mix the second and third conditional. This is done in three ways:
1. The present result of a past condition
If I had worked harder at school, I would speak better English.
| If clause (Past Meaning) | Result clause (Present Meaning) |
| If past perfect, | Would + Bare infinitive |
| If I had worked harder at school | I would speak better English. |
2. The past result of a present or ongoing situation
If I spoke better English, I would have got the job.
| If clause (Present Meaning) | Result clause (Past Meaning) |
| If past simple, | Would + present perfect |
| If I spoke better English, | I would have got the job. |
3. The past result of a future situation
If I weren’t working tomorrow, I would have gone to the party.
| If clause (Present Meaning) | Result clause (Past Meaning) |
| If past simple, | Would + present perfect |
| If I weren’t working tomorrow, | I would have gone to the party. |
All these structures can be reversed. In this case, do not use a comma.
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