Mixed conditional

It is possible for the two parts of a conditional sentence to refer to different times, and the resulting
sentence is a "mixed conditional" sentence. There are two types of mixed conditional sentence.
Present result of a past condition
Form
In this type of mixed conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the
tense in the main clause is the present conditional.

If clause (condition) Main clause (result)

If + past perfect present conditional

If this thing had happened that thing would happen.

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to rearrange the
pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but the meaning is
identical.
Examples
 If I had worked harder at school, I would have a better job now.
 I would have a better job now if I had worked harder at school.
 If we had looked at the map we wouldn't be lost.
 We wouldn't be lost if we had looked at the map.
 If you had caught that plane you would be dead now.
 You would be dead now if you had caught that plane.
Function
This type of mixed conditional refers to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the
present. These sentences express a situation which is contrary to reality both in the past and in the
present. In these mixed conditional sentences, the time is the past in the "if" clause and in
the present in the main clause.
Examples
 If I had studied I would have my driving license. (but I didn't study and now I don't have
my license)
 I would be a millionaire now if I had taken that job. (but I didn't take the job and I'm not a
millionaire)
 If you had spent all your money, you wouldn't buy this jacket. (but you didn't spend all your
money and now you can buy this jacket)
In these mixed conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead
of would to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.
Examples
 If you had crashed the car, you might be in trouble.
 I could be a millionaire now if I had invested in ABC Plumbing.
 If I had learned to ski, I might be on the slopes right now.
Past result of present or continuing condition
Form
In this second type of mixed conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past, and
the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional.

If clause (condition) Main clause (result)

If + simple past perfect conditional

If this thing happened that thing would have happened.

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to rearrange the
pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but the meaning is
identical.
Examples
 If I wasn't afraid of spiders, I would have picked it up.
 I would have picked it up if I wasn't afraid of spiders.
 If we didn't trust him we would have sacked him months ago.
 We would have sacked him months ago if we didn't trust him.
 If I wasn't in the middle of another meeting, I would have been happy to help you.
 I would have been happy to help you if I wasn't in the middle of another meeting.
Function
These mixed conditional sentences refer to an unreal present situation and its probable (but unreal)
past result. In these mixed conditional sentences, the time in the if clause is now or always and the
time in the main clause is before now. For example, "If I wasn't afraid of spiders" is contrary to
present reality. I am afraid of spiders. "I would have picked it up" is contrary to past reality. I didn't
pick it up.
Examples
 If she wasn't afraid of flying she wouldn't have travelled by boat.
  I'd have been able to translate the letter if my Italian was better.
 If I was a good cook, I'd have invited them to lunch.
 If the elephant wasn't in love with the mouse, she'd have trodden on him by now.

Verbs in green are in the present unreal conditional.

Verbs in red are in the past unreal conditional.

Verbs in purple are in the future unreal conditional.

Mixed Conditional Patterns

PAST PRESENT

Examples:

 If I had won the lottery, I would be rich.

But I didn't win the lottery in the past and I am not rich now.
 If I had taken French in high school, I would have more job opportunities.
But I didn't take French in high school and I don't have many job opportunities.
 If she had been born in the United States, she wouldn't need a visa to work here.
But she wasn't born in the United States and she does need a visa now to work here.

PAST FUTURE

Examples:

 If she had signed up for the ski trip last week, she would be joining us tomorrow.
But she didn't sign up for the ski trip last week and she isn't going to join us
tomorrow.
 If Mark had gotten the job instead of Joe, he would be moving to Shanghai.
But Mark didn't get the job and Mark is not going to move to Shanghai.
 If Darren hadn't wasted his Christmas bonus gambling in Las Vegas, he would
go to Mexico with us next month.
But Darren wasted his Christmas bonus gambling in Las Vegas and he won't go to
Mexico with us next month.

PRESENT PAST

Examples:

 If I were rich, I would have bought that Ferrari we saw yesterday.

But I am not currently rich and that is why I didn't buy the Ferrari yesterday.
  If Sam spoke Russian, he would have translated the letter for you.
But Sam doesn't speak Russian and that is why he didn't translate the letter.
 If I didn't have to work so much, I would have gone to the party last night.
But I have to work a lot and that is why I didn't go to the party last night.

PRESENT FUTURE

Examples:

 If I didn't have so much vacation time, I wouldn't go with you on the cruise to
Alaska next week.
But I do have a lot of vacation time and I will go on the trip next week.
 If Cindy were more creative, the company would send her to New York to work on
the new advertising campaign.
But Cindy is not creative and the company won't send her to New York to work on
the new campaign.
 If Dan weren't so nice, he wouldn't be tutoring you in math tonight.
But Dan is nice and he is going to tutor you tonight.

FUTURE PAST

Examples:

 If I weren't going on my business trip next week, I would have accepted that new
assignment at work.
But I am going to go on a business trip next week, and that is why I didn't accept
that new assignment at work.
 If my parents weren't coming this weekend, I would have planned a nice trip just
for the two of us to Napa Valley.
But my parents are going to come this weekend, and that is why I didn't plan a trip
for the two of us to Napa Valley.
 If Donna weren't making us a big dinner tonight, I would have suggested that we
go to that nice Italian restaurant.
But she is going to make us a big dinner tonight, and that is why I didn't suggest
that we go to that nice Italian restaurant.

FUTURE PRESENT

Examples:

 If I were going to that concert tonight, I would be very excited.

But I am not going to go to that concert tonight and that is why I am not excited.
 If Sandy were giving a speech tomorrow, she would be very nervous.
But Sandy is not going to give a speech tomorrow and that is why she in not
nervous.
 If Seb didn't come with us to the desert, everyone would be very disappointed.
But Seb will come with us to the desert and that is why everyone is so happy.

Conditional Conjunctions
How to Use Unless
Unless means except on the condition that. Unless needs a main clause to make a complete
sentence.
 Victory won’t come to me unless I go to it.
 Unless I’m mistaken, she was back at work yesterday.
 I can’t reach the top shelf unless I use a stepladder.
 Don’t call me unless it is a real emergency.
How to Use Even If
Even if means whether or not. It is used to emphasize that something will still be true if another
thing happens.
  You’ll have to lump it even if you don’t like it.
 Even if she didn’t want to send a present, she could at least have sent a card.
 I will always love you, even if you are not.
 We will go even if it rains.
How to Use Provided, As Long As/ So
They mean if or only if. They are used to emphasize the conditions that surround the action.
Note that provided is a bit formal.
 I will agree to go provided my expenses are paid.
 We’ll buy everything you produce, provided of course the price is right.
 We’ll go as long as the weather is good.
 I’ll stay in Mexico as long as my money holds on.
How to Use Only If
Only if expresses the idea that there is only one condition that will cause a particular result.
 Only if the red light comes on is there any danger to employees.
 Do it only if you can guarantee your own safety.
 I wake up only if the school bell rings.
 I’ll tell you, but only if you don’t tell anyone else.