You have probably heard about conditional sentences in English and thought it was a complex topic. Well, it doesn’t need to be. And here’s what the mixed conditional is and how it works.
What Conditional Sentences Are
Conditional sentences are sentences that express what happens if another thing happens. They express a possible situation given that a condition is fulfilled.
It is said that the English language has 4 different types of conditional structures: zero conditional, first conditional, second conditional, and third conditional. However, to be completely honest, we have to add one more: the mixed conditional. Click here for a summary of all conditional sentences!
Mixed Conditional
As its name implies, in this structure we mix two different parts of the other types of conditional sentences. It combines different verb tenses and thus different time references that are a little different than the first, second, and third conditionals.
Possible combinations are:
| Type of clause | If-clause (condition) | Main clause (result) |
| Verb tense | Past perfect | Present conditional |
| Example | If I had saved money, | I wouldn’t be in debt now |
In the case described above, there’s an unreal situation in the past, and its result in the present.
| Type of clause | If-clause (condition) | Main clause (result) |
| Verb tense | Past subjunctive | Perfect conditional |
| Example | If I wasn’t confident about it, | I wouldn’t have accepted the deal |
In the case described above, there’s an unreal situation in the past, and its unreal result in the past.
| Type of clause | If-clause (condition) | Main clause (result) |
| Verb tense | Past perfect | Would be + v-ing |
| Example | If I had enrolled in drama school, | I would be starting it tomorrow |
In the case described above, there’s an unreal situation in the past, and its unreal result in the future.
| Type of clause | If-clause (condition) | Main clause (result) |
| Verb tense | Past subjunctive | Would have + past participle |
| Example | If my mother were a teacher, | I would have been homeschooled |
In the case described above, there’s an unreal situation in the present, and its unreal result in the past.
| Type of clause | If-clause (condition) | Main clause (result) |
| Verb tense | Past continuous subjunctive | Would have + past participle |
| Example | If he weren’t going on vacation next week, | he would have accepted the case |
In the case described above, there’s an unreal future condition, and its unreal result in the past.
| Type of clause | If-clause (condition) | Main clause (result) |
| Verb tense | Past continuous subjunctive | Would have + past participle |
| Example | If I were going abroad with my brother, | I would be very excited |
In the case described above, there’s an unreal future condition, and its unreal result in the present.
Using the comma
As you can notice in the examples given above when you use the order if-clause + main clause you use a comma (,) to separate them.
However, when you use the order main clause + if-clause you don’t need to use a comma to separate them.
Mastering the Mixed Conditional
Now you have all the information you need to master the mixed conditional in English. It’s not that complicated, is it? Remember that for you to master this structure, use it confidently and never forget it anymore, you should try and use it whenever possible.
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