GRAMMAR BANK

5A mixed conditionals
REFERENCE page 58 PRACTICE
We use a mixed conditional when we want to talk about 1 Match the sentence beginnings (1–6) with the
a hypothetical (imaginary) situation in the past and a endings (a–f) to form mixed conditionals.
hypothetical present result of that situation.
1 If you weren’t my best friend,
If we’d chosen to travel by train rather than by car, we’d be
there by now. 2 You might not be so tired if
You wouldn’t feel so sick if you hadn’t decided to eat all 3 If I didn’t love food so much,
that cheese. 4 If she’d explained it more clearly,
5 She’d be eating with us now if
The verb in the if clause is in the past perfect form (as it would
6 I wouldn’t be where I am today if
be in a third conditional) and would(n’t)/might (not)/may (not)
+ infinitive without to or be + -ing form features in the other a I would have only had a starter.
clause (as it would in the second conditional).
b I’d understand what to do better.
If I’d gone to university, my life might be very different c I would’ve been offended by your comment!
to now.
d I hadn’t worked really hard.
Deli would still not be talking to me if I hadn’t apologised.
e you hadn’t stayed up watching films all night.
Rather than a present result, the result might be in the future. f her train hadn’t been delayed.
Here, we might use would(n’t) be + -ing form.
If you hadn’t told me about the concert, I wouldn’t be going. 2 Complete the sentences with the correct form of
Penny would be starting her new job on Monday if she hadn’t the verbs in brackets to make mixed conditional
rejected the offer. sentences.
1 If I hadn’t had a pay rise, I (not / be) able
We can also use a mixed conditional when we want to talk to afford this holiday.
about the hypothetical past result of a hypothetical present
2 If Matt (spend) less time on social media
situation or state.
every day, he’d have found a job by now.
If I weren’t so afraid of planes, I’d have flown with you to Brazil.
3 You (not / fall) over this morning if you
If flats weren’t so expensive to buy around here, we’d have didn’t look at your phone all the time!
bought something ages ago. 4 You wouldn’t need me to pay for lunch if you
The verb in the if clause is in the past simple form (as it would (not / buy) me flowers earlier.
be in a second conditional) and would(n’t)/might (not)/may (not) 5 If I hadn’t used all my holiday up, I (go)
have + past participle features in the other clause (as it would with you to Portugal next week.
in the third conditional). 6 I’d have told you if you (can / keep) a
If I weren’t so indecisive, this whole situation would have secret, but you can’t!
ended weeks ago.
I wouldn’t have called you if it wasn’t so important.
3 Rewrite the sentences as one sentence, using
mixed conditionals.
1 You’re so stubborn. We didn’t come to an
agreement for a long time.
If to an agreement ages ago.
2 I didn’t listen to your advice. I regret my decision.
If my decision.
3 I didn’t charge my phone battery. I’ve got no
battery left .
If some battery left.
4 I get seasick. I didn’t go on a cruise with my
friend last year.
If on a cruise with my friend last year.
5 I’m not good with my hands. I didn’t make you
a gift .
If you a gift myself.
6 I got up early. I’m tired now.
If tired now.
7 I didn’t study medicine. I’m not a doctor.
If a doctor right now.
8 I didn’t know you were such a good cook. I’m
cooking dinner right now.
If I dinner right now.

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