Mixed Conditionals Guide
Mixed Conditionals Guide
GUIDE
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INTRODUCTION:
This activity has been designed in order to check students understanding and application of
Mixed Conditionals.
When we talk about mixed conditionals, we are referring to conditional sentences that combine
two different types of conditional patterns. These combinations are not all that frequent, but the
most common combination is when we have a Type 3 conditional in the if-clause (if + past
perfect) followed by a Type 2 conditional (would + infinitive) in the main clause.
MIXED SECOND / THIRD CONDITIONAL:
The other possibility, though perhaps a bit less common, is when we have a Type 2 Conditional
in the if-clause (if + past simple) followed by a Type 3 Conditional (would've + past participle)
in the main clause.
With this combination, we are describing ongoing circumstances in relation to a previous past
event. Consider these examples:
- If you weren't such a poor dancer, you would've got a job in the chorus line in that
musical.
- If you weren't so blind to his faults, you would've realised that he was out to swindle you.
She did not have enough money and therefore she did not go with him
She still does not have enough money and that is why she did not go with him
4. If I had quit my job I would not have enough money to live in such a nice neighborhood.
She quit her job and does not have enough money now
She did not quit her job and she has enough money.
4
GUIDE
Page 3 of 7
II. Choose the best best possible answer for questions 1-10
2. Would you mind if we (came / would have 7. I wouldn't have bought it if I (had not tried /
come) together? did not try) it.
3. You shouldn't have criticized him unless you 8. She (did not fall / would not have fallen)
(would not have / had had) a good reason. down if you had given her a hand.
4. It would be too late if the school already 9. How would you have responded in case he
(started / had started). (had not been / would not have been) rude?
5. I wouldn't go there unless they (invited / did 10. We would find a solution if you (had given /
not invite) me. gave) us advice.
IV. Choose TWO sentences that have the same meaning as the statement.
2. If I had known it was your birthday, I would have bought you a present.
a. I knew it was your birthday.
b. I didn't know it was your birthday.
c. I didn't buy you a present.
6. If you had passed your driving test, you could give me a lift.
a. You passed your driving test.
b. You didn't pass your driving test.
c. You can't give me a lift.
2. If we had bought a good map, we _______________________ in the middle of nowhere now. (not be)
5. If you had sold your business, you _____________________________ life now. (can enjoy)
6. If I were you, I ___________________________________ the job after the pay drop. (quit)
10. Tina's French is quite weak. She would have helped you in Paris if her French ___________________
better. (be)
Example:
My car is out of order. I can't drive you there.
But if my car weren't out of order, I would drive you there.
4. We haven't enough room in our house. You can't stay with us.
But if we ___________________________ enough room, you ___________________________ with us.
1. A lot of people throw trash into the canals. The last time it rained, the canals were flooded.
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. John sold his vote for a hundred dollars. Now he’s upset because the politician he voted for isn’t very
committed with the people.
____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Rob didn’t read about the new law. Now he has to pay an expensive fine.
____________________________________________________________________________________
4. A lot of criminals get arrested for crimes just to be released the next day. Many of them continue to
commit crimes since they know they won’t be punished accordingly.
____________________________________________________________________________________
5. They didn’t cover the pothole in front of the mall. A motorcyclist had a bad accident there last week.
____________________________________________________________________________________
IX. Write five situations and then write mixed conditional sentences according to them.
1.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
2.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
3.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
5.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
- Exam English – Mixed Conditionals. (n.d.) Retrieved April 29, 2019, from
https://www.examenglish.com/grammar/mixed_conditionals.htm
- E grammar – Mixed Conditionals. (n.d.) Retrieved April 29, 2019, from
https://www.e-grammar.org/download/mixed-conditional-exercise-4.pdf
- E grammar – Mixed Conditionals – Exercise 4. (n.d.) Retrieved April 29, 2019, from https://www.e-
grammar.org/if-clauses/test3-exercise3/