Grammar Practice Worksheets

Third Conditional
Table of Contents
2 Grammar Notes 14 Exercise 10
Third Conditional Now You Tell Me!

5 Exercise 1 15 Exercise 11
Multiple-Choice Wish

6 Exercise 2 16 Exercise 12
Fill in the Blanks The Great Conditional Challenge

7 Exercise 3 17 Exercise 13
Matching Mixed Conditionals

7 Exercise 4 18 Exercise 14
Complete the Sentences Find Your Match

8 Exercise 5 19 Exercise 15
Conditional Sentences Quiz: First, Second & Third Conditional

9 Exercise 6
Past Regrets

10 Exercise 7
Comprehension

11 Exercise 8
What Would You Have Done?

13 Exercise 9
Survey

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 Third
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Grammar Notes
THIRD CONDITIONAL

A. Introduction to Conditionals

Conditionals are used to express a hypothetical situation. This is when you

don´t know if something will happen or not, so you make a guess about
what the result might be. There are four conditional patterns in the English
language, and they usually involve an "if" clause. This lesson will focus
on the third conditional, also known as the past conditional.

B. The Third Conditional

Pattern: If + had + p.p., would + have + p.p.

Use: The third conditional expresses a past regret Form

or shows a different outcome that would have Need help remembering the third conditional pattern?
happened if a certain condition had been met. Think of it like this:

The verb in the if clause is a past perfect verb (had

+ the past participle form of the verb), while the
verb in the main clause follows the past modal
pattern (modal + have + the past participle form of
the verb).

Examples

Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation

• If I had arrived on time, no one

would have stared at me as I walked in. I was late
not arriving people
and everyone stared
• No one would have stared at me on time staring at me
at me as I walked in.
as I walked in if I had arrived on time.

• If you had brought your jacket, you

would not have been so cold last night. You were cold
not bringing
being cold because you didn´t
• You would not have been so cold last a jacket
bring a jacket.
night if you had brought your jacket.

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 Third
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Grammar Notes cont.

B. The Third Conditional cont.

Examples cont.

Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation

• If they had not missed the bus, they

would have gotten* to work on time. They missed the
missing not arriving at
bus and were late
• They would have gotten to work the bus work on time
for work.
on time if they had not missed the bus.

• If Andrew had not broken his leg,

he would not have missed the dance. He missed the dance
missing
breaking a leg because he broke
• Andrew would not have missed the dance the dance
his leg.
if he had not broken his leg.

• If I’d remembered your birthday,

I would’ve bought** you a present. I didn´t buy you a
forgetting not buying
present because I
• I would’ve bought you a present a birthday a present
forgot your birthday.
if I’d remembered your birthday.

• If Maya hadn’t caught a cold,

she would’ve come over after school. She didn’t come
catching not
over because
• Maya would’ve come over after school a cold coming over
she was sick.
if she hadn’t caught a cold.

*Note 1 **Note 2
Some verbs have more than one acceptable past How many contractions are possible at one time?
participle form. For example, the past participle of In general, one contraction is fine for both
get can be gotten or got. Gotten is more common in speaking and writing, but a double contraction is
North America and got is more common in the UK. not used in writing or formal speaking (though it
is sometimes used in informal speaking). Also
note that would’ve sounds like would of, but would
of is never correct!

I would’ve bought
I’d have bought
I’d’ve bought (use in informal speaking only)
I would of bought (never use)

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 Third
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Grammar Notes cont.

B. The Third Conditional cont.

Tip #1 Tip #4
A sentence can begin with either the if clause or the In the main clause, would can contract to ‘d with
main clause with no change in meaning. Remember subjects that are pronouns. Also, would have can
that a sentence that begins with an if clause is contract to would’ve and would not can contract to
followed by a comma. wouldn’t with any subject. Likewise, in the if clause,
had can contract to ‘d with subjects that are
• If they had prepared for their presentation,
pronouns and had not can contract to hadn’t with
they wouldn´t have received such a bad score.
any subject.
• They wouldn’t have received such a bad score • If she hadn’t left her keys in the car,
if they had prepared for their presentation. she’d have been on time to pick me
up.

• I wouldn’t have had to cancel

Tip #2 our plans if my son hadn’t
Because the third conditional is often used gotten sick.
to express regrets, negative verbs are • I would’ve gotten the invite on
common in the main clause. time if I’d answered the phone.
• If I had been on time more often,
I wouldn't have been fired.
Tip #5
• If my neighbor had lent me his lawn mower,
I wouldn’t have had to buy one. Could or might can replace would in the main
clause to indicate possibility. For contractions,
• I would never have been able to go to
could’ve is common not might’ve is not.
your party if you hadn’t spoken to my parents.
•
They could/might have made it to my
Tip #3 party if they had stopped to ask for
When speaking quickly, would have sounds like woulda. Note we can only saydirections.
(and never write) woulda. Listen to the recording and repeat the fo
If I hadn´t bought insurance, I would have been in trouble.
I would have gone to the party • If I´d finished reading the book,
if I had been invited. I could’ve helped you write your book report.
If she had received your email, she would have replied.
Tip #6
It is possible to combine tenses within the
same sentence if the situation calls for it. For
example, a past regret in the if clause can affect
something in the present.

• If he hadn’t forgotten to call me last night,

I wouldn´t be so angry today.

• You would feel better about the present situation

if you had heard about it from her last week.

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 Third
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Exercise 1
MULTIPLE-CHOICE

Circle the best answer.

Ex. If Marty had gone to the party, I too.

6. I would have been very
a) went disappointed if you with us.
b) would have gone
a) hadn´t came
c) had gone
b) wouldn´t have came
c) hadn´t come
1. If you me the money,
I wouldn´t have bought the ticket.
7. If Mya in such a hurry,
a) didn´t lend she wouldn’t have driven through a red light.
b) hadn´t lended
a) wasn´t
c) hadn´t lent
b) hadn´t been
c) wouldn´t be
2. I wouldn’t have stayed at
that hotel if you it to me.
8. If Jin hadn´t applied for the job when he did,
a) hadn´t recommended he able to work there.
b) don´t recommend
a) wouldn´t have be
c) didn´t recommend
b) wouldn´t have been
c) wouldn´t had be
3. She would have been hurt in the
car accident if she her seat belt.
9. Zara would have called me back
a) wouldn´t worn if her phone .
b) didn´t wore
a) hadn´t died
c) hadn´t worn
b) haven´t died
c) wouldn´t have died
4. If you me, I would have helped you.

a) had asked 10. They a nice night if it hadn’t rained.

b) asked
a) would had have
c) ask
b) would have have
c) would have had
5. If I hadn´t taken my umbrella, I very wet.

a) would have get

b) would had got
c) would have gotten

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 Third
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Exercise 2
FILL IN THE BLANKS

Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verbs provided.

Ex. Monique failed her history test, but if she had studied harder, she would have passed .
(study) (pass)

1. Kevin caught the bus on time, but if he it,

(miss)

he late for his appointment.

(be)

2. Juan didn´t write to me when he was on vacation, but if he my address,

(know)

he me a postcard.
(send)

3. We didn´t buy the car because it was too expensive, but we it

(buy)

if it a little cheaper .
(be)

4. They didn´t go to her party, but if she them, they .

(invite) (go)

5. I didn´t know that Lee was in the hospital last week.

If I ,I him.
(know) (visit)

6. It was cold earlier, but we to the beach if it warmer.

(go) (be)

7. I felt a little sick last night. I to the movies if I better.

(go) (feel)

8. Hiroku didn’t understand the homework. If he to the teacher’s instructions,

(listen)

he what to do.
(know)

9. I’m sorry I was late. I forgot to set my alarm clock last night. I
(get)

to the meeting on time if the alarm clock .

(ring)

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 Third
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Exercise 3
MATCHING

Match the first part of the sentence on the left with the best
ending on the right. Each choice can only be used once.

d 1.
I would have said hello... a) if I hadn’t looked at my calendar.
2.
I would have mailed the letter... b) if the roads hadn´t been so slippery.
3.
If I had seen the accident, ... c) if I had known the baby was sleeping.
4.
If I had planned a trip to France, ... d) if I had seen you.
5.
I would have forgotten your birthday... e) I would have gone swimming.
6.
The accident wouldn’t have happened... f) if I had had some stamps.
7.
I would have cleaned my apartment... g) if I hadn’t washed it in hot water.
8.
If I had brought my bathing suit, ... h) I would have tried to learn some French.
9.
My sweater wouldn’t have shrunk... i) if I had known they were coming.
10.
I would have been much quieter... j) I would have called an ambulance.

Exercise 4
COMPLETE THE SENTENCES

Complete the following sentences using your own words.

Use contractions whenever possible.

Ex. I would´ve lent you some money if I hadn’ t just paid my rent.

1. The boss would´ve fired her if

2. If I’d known it was going to rain,

3. If she hadn’t missed so many classes,

4. If yesterday had been a holiday,

5. I wouldn´t have missed the bus if

6. I would’ve had a party if

7. I’d have called you if

8. If I’d woken up earlier,

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 Third
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Exercise 5
CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

Write a sentence using the third conditional for each of the following situations.

Ex. They didn´t arrive on time because they took the wrong road.

If they had taken the right road, they would have arrived on time.

1. Dario didn´t get the job because he didn´t have much experience.

2. Elena didn´t pass her driver´s test because she didn´t stop at the red light.

3. Aiko didn´t buy the dress because it didn´t fit.

4. The Smiths didn´t go to Hawaii because the airplane tickets were too expensive.

5. I got a parking ticket because I forgot to put money in the parking meter.

6. The cake burned because she didn´t set the timer.

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 Third
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Exercise 5 cont.
7. She didn´t take an umbrella because she didn´t know it was supposed to rain.

8. Christina didn´t eat lunch because she wasn´t hungry.

9. We didn´t go skiing last weekend because there wasn´t much snow on the mountain.

10. I couldn´t make lasagna for dinner last night because I forgot to buy the noodles.

Exercise 6
PAST REGRETS

Do you have any regrets? Find a partner and discuss a few things
you wish you had done differently in your life. Use the third conditional.

Example
A: I began studying English when I was 25 years old. If I´d started
learning English when I was a child, I would´ve been fluent by
now.

B: I know what you mean! I didn´t take any English classes until
high school. If I´d started in elementary school, it would´ve
been much easier to learn English.

A: Yep. So what other regrets do you have?

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 Third
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Exercise 7
COMPREHENSION

Read the conditional sentences below and

answer the questions that follow each one.

Ex. If it hadn´t rained yesterday,

6. If the bus had been on time,
we would have had a picnic.
we wouldn’t have missed our appointment.

Yes
a) Did it rain yesterday? a) Was the bus on time?
No
b) Did we have a picnic? b) Did we miss our appointment?

1. If you had come to the party,

7. If I had had a lot of homework last night,
you would have met my cousin.
I wouldn’t have gone to the movies.

a) Did you come to the party?

a) Did I have a lot of homework last night?
b) Did I go to the movies last night?
b) Did you meet my cousin?

2. I wouldn’t have watched the movie

8. Ali would have known about the accident
if I had known it was scary.
if he’d read the paper yesterday.

a) Did I watch the movie?

a) Did Ali know about the accident?

b) Was it scary? b) Did Ali read the newspaper yesterday?

c) Do I like scary movies?

9. If I had heard about the new position before the
3. If I’d known he was a careless driver, application deadline, I would’ve applied for it.
I wouldn’t have lent him my car.
a) Did I hear about the job in time to apply?
b) Did I apply for the job?
a) Is he a careless driver?
c) Did I get the job?

b) Did I lend him my car?

4. If Professor Neville had taught the

10. You wouldn’t have had to rewrite your essay
history course, I would’ve taken it.
if you hadn´t copied it straight from that website.

a) Did Professor Neville teach the course?

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 Third
b) Did I take the history course? Conditional
a) Did you copy your essay from a website?
b) Did you have to rewrite your essay?
c) Did you get caught cheating?
5. Marie wouldn´t have married Rob
if she hadn´t been in love with him.

a) Did Marie marry Rob?

b) Was Marie in love with
Rob?

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 Third
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Exercise 8
WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?

Read the situations below. Choose if you would or wouldn´t have done the
same thing and write out your explanation using the third conditional.

1. Example #1friend cheating on a test. She told the teacher.Example

Adele saw her #2
Mark saw a woman drowning in the lake. Mark saw a woman drowning in the lake.
He went to look for help. He went to look for help.

I wouldn’t have done that. If I had seen a woman I would have done that too. I’m not a strong
drowning, I would have called 911 on my cell phone swimmer, so if I’d seen a woman drowning, I would’ve
and then jumped into the water to try to save her. tried
to find someone nearby who could swim. But
first I would have let her know I was going to get
2. Jung´s neighbors were very noisy, so he moved to a new apartment. The move was very expensive.

3. Kayla went to a new restaurant. She didn’t like her meal, so she didn’t leave a tip.

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 Third
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Exercise 8 cont.
4. Juliana´s car broke down on the way to work, so she hitchhiked the rest of the way.

5. When Sam saw a black bear in the woods, he started to scream.

6. When Fatima heard someone breaking into her house last night, she hid under the bed.

7. Shen found a wallet with $1,000 in it. He kept the money.

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 Third
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Exercise 9
SURVEY

Ask your classmates what they would have done in each situation from Exercise 8.
Complete the chart with answers in point form. Practice saying woulda (but don´t write it).

# Situation Classmate #1 Classmate #2 Classmate #3

1 cheating friend

2 noisy neighbors

3 bad meal

4 car trouble

5 black bear

6 burglar

7 wallet

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 Third
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Exercise 10
NOW YOU TELL ME!

With a partner, take turns reading out the situations below and offering
advice using the third conditional. End each one with "Now you tell me!"*
Practice saying woulda instead of would have when you can.

1. Example
I had to go to the dentist to get three fillings. *Note
2. A:
Our Idog
lost got
my job because
sick I was our vacation. We lost $3,000 because
right before We use we
the had
expression "Now
to cancel you
the tell me!" (with
trip.
late for work three times. emphasis on "Now") when we want to show that
3. I hurt my back moving some heavy furniture. hearing the advice sooner would have helped (to
B: If you had set your alarm to go off 15 minutes
prevent a negative outcome from happening).
earlier,
4. I didn´t payyou woulda made
attention it toand
in class work on time.
didn´t know about the test.

5. A: Now you tellwoke

I accidentally me! the baby up when I came home from work.

6. I didn´t get the job.

7. I got lost yesterday.

8. It didn´t rain when we went away and all of our flowers died.

9. My mother-in-law isn´t talking to me because she wasn´t invited for Thanksgiving dinner.

10. I failed my test.

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 Third
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Exercise 11
WISH

Read the wishes below and write a third conditional sentence related to each one.

Ex. I wish I had known about her accident.

Iƒ I had known about her accident, I would have sent her some flowers.

1. I wish I had learned to speak several languages when I was young.

2. She wishes she had never met him.

3. They wish they had visited Paris when they were in Europe.

4. He wishes he had applied for that government job.

5. I wish I hadn’t seen that horror movie.

6. I wish I hadn´t drunk so much coffee last night.

7. I wish I had taken my camera on our camping trip.

8. I wish it had been warmer yesterday.

9. I wish I had read the instructions more carefully.

10. I wish I hadn’t yelled at the children.

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 Third
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Exercise 12
THE GREAT CONDITIONAL CHALLENGE

Work in groups. Read the three if clauses below.

Choose one of the three clauses and then try
to make as many third conditional sentences Example:
as possible that follow from the if clause you have If I had studied harder when I was in high school...
chosen. The group with the most conditional
If I had studied harder when I was in high school,
sentences wins the challenge.
I would have gotten better grades. If I had gotten
better grades, I would have gone to a better
“If” Clauses university. If I had gone to a better university,
I would have applied to medical school. If I had
1. If I had learned English as a child... gone to medical school, I would have become a
doctor. If I had become a doctor, I would have
2. If I had won the million-dollar lottery five years ago... gone to Africa and helped a lot of people. If I
had gone to Africa and helped a lot of people, ...
3. If I had been alive in the 19th century...

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 Third
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Exercise 13
MIXED CONDITIONALS

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verbs
provided. Check for time markers and the tenses of other verbs in context
to help you decide if you need the first, second, or third conditional.

Ex. If it rains next Saturday, I will stay home.

(stay)

1. I to the movies with you last week if I sick.

(go) (not/be)

2. If I were you, I her the truth.

(tell)

3. That was a very bad accident. If he more careful, it wouldn’t have happened.
(be)

4. That new restaurant is terrible! If I you,

(be)

I your reservation. You should go somewhere else.

(cancel)

5. It´s raining now, but if it sunny, I for a long walk.

(be) (go)

6. It rained all day yesterday, but if it sunny,

(be)

I for a long walk. Instead, I stayed inside and read all day.
(go)

7. I just remembered that you are coming home tomorrow night. I

(pick)

you up at the airport if you

what time your flight arrives.
(tell)

8. I didn´t finish the report yesterday. If I at the office late last night,
(stay)

I probably it. I’ll have to do it today.

(finish)

9. I have to go to the store tomorrow. If you me what you need,

(tell)

I your groceries too. Then you won’t have to go out.

(get)

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 Third
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Exercise 13 cont.
10. You are such a good worker. If I were you, I the boss for a raise.
(ask)

11. I don´t know Rashid´s telephone number, but if I

it, I would call him right now.
(know)

12. I wasn´t at school yesterday, so I didn´t know about the homework. If I

there,
(be)

I
(know) about it and I it last night.
(do)

13. The forecast is calling for rain. If it

tomorrow,
(rain)

we the game and reschedule it for next week.

(cancel)

14. I you if I
(call) (know)

that you were going through such a hard time. Why didn’t you tell me?

15. If she taller, she

(be) (try out)

for the basketball team. Tryouts start next week.

Exercise 14
Hint
FIND YOUR MATCH Use the verb tense in your
clause to help you decide if it
Your teacher will give you a strip of paper that has an if clause or a is part of a first, second, or
main clause on it. Walk around the classroom telling your classmates third conditional sentence.
When you listen to your
your half of the sentence. When you find your match, check your
classmates read out their
complete sentence with your teacher. If it´s correct, sit down.
clauses, pay attention to the
verb tense as well as the
meaning of the clause.

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 Third
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Exercise 15
QUIZ

Complete this review of the first, second,

and third conditional. Circle the best answer.

1. If the tickets hadn´t been sold out,

6. If we attention in class,
I to the hockey game.
we won´t do well on the final exam.
a) will go
a) don´t pay
b) would go
b) won´t pay
c) would have gone
c) hadn´t paid

2. She would study if there a test tomorrow.

7. He a new house
a) is if he´d known about the layoffs.
b) were
a) won´t buy
c) had been
b) wouldn´t buy
c) wouldn´t have bought
3. I shopping with you if I had any money.

a) will go 8. They will go to the lake next

b) would go weekend if the weather nice.
c) would have gone
a) is
b) will be
4. The boss would have been angry
c) had been
if Mark his report on time.

a) won´t finish 9. If Rina got the job, she .

b) wouldn´t finish
a) will celebrate
c) hadn´t finished
b) would celebrate
c) would have celebrated
5. If Sylvia had been able to play in the game
last night, we probably .
10. I that if I were you. It’s expired.
a) will win
a) won´t eat
b) would win
b) wouldn´t eat
c) would have won
c) wouldn´t have eaten

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