hello!
I have some problems with mixed conditional.I understand 1., 2. and 3. type of conditionals, but i get confused when I have to use mixed conditional.I googled it but somehow i still don't get it.Anyone knows some simple explanation?How can I recognize mix conditional?
Thank you
This site has some very helpful examples of mixed conditionals.
http://www.englishpage.com/conditional/mixedconditional.html
Hello! I can help you understand mixed conditionals.
Mixed conditionals are a combination of the second and third conditional in English grammar. They express a hypothetical or unreal situation in the past that has present consequences.
To recognize a mixed conditional, you can look for two things:
1. The conditional clause (if clause) will have a past verb tense (usually past simple).
2. The main clause (result clause) will have a present perfect or past simple verb tense.
Here's an example of a mixed conditional:
"If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam."
In this sentence, the conditional clause "If I had studied harder" is in the past perfect tense ("had studied") indicating an unreal or hypothetical situation in the past. The main clause "I would have passed the exam" is in the present perfect tense ("would have passed"), indicating the result or consequence of that past situation in the present.
To form a mixed conditional, you just need to combine elements from the second and third conditional:
1. In the conditional clause, use the past perfect (If + past perfect verb).
2. In the main clause, use either the present perfect (would have + past participle) or the simple past tense (would + base form of verb).
Remember that mixed conditionals express an ongoing or lasting consequence in the present resulting from a hypothetical situation in the past.