Third conditional — past unreal situations
Meaning
- Use the third conditional to imagine a different past and its imagined past result.
- It expresses regret, criticism, or simple speculation about something that didn’t happen.
Form
| If-clause (condition) | Main clause (result) |
|---|---|
| if + past perfect If you had studied … |
would / could / might + have + past participle … you would have passed. |
| Past perfect continuous is also possible to show duration: If she had been working harder, she would have finished earlier. | |
Comma after the if-clause when it comes first: If I had known, I would have called. No comma when the main clause comes first.
Clear examples
- Fact: I didn’t go to class.
Imagined result: If I had gone to class, I would have passed. - If he hadn’t taken his helmet, he might have died.
- If the jacket had been cheaper, I could have bought it.
- I wouldn’t have been late if I hadn’t overslept.
Useful variations
- Unless = if not: I wouldn’t have arrived on time unless I had taken a taxi.
- Inversion (formal) — drop if and invert: Had I known, I would have helped.
- Modal choice — the result can use would/could/might/should have: You shouldn’t have left so late.
Mixed conditional (Type 3 → 2)
Past condition with a present result now.
- If I had studied harder, I would have a better job now.
- If she hadn’t moved away, we would still be neighbours.
Exercises:
Third conditional: Past unreal situations
Choose the correct form to make third conditional sentences.
1
If you had trained more, you
so easily.
2
We wouldn't have spent all the money if you
on going to that boutique.
3
If you had told me you were having problems, I
you.
4
If I
that she was in town, I would have called her.
5
If she had offered a better price for the car, I
it.
6
There wouldn't have been so many problems if they
the race a bit better.
7
We
lost if you had asked for directions.
8
We would never have met if you
us to each other at that party.
9
If she had embarrassed me in front of my friends, I
her for ever.
10
We
the train if we had left home earlier.
Third conditional: Past unreal situations
Choose the correct form to make third conditional sentences.
1
If you had told me earlier, I ____ you.
A.
B.
C.
2
She ____ the exam if she had studied harder.
A.
B.
C.
3
If we hadn’t missed the turn, we ____ there on time.
A.
B.
C.
4
I ____ to the concert if I had known about it.
A.
B.
C.
5
If he had set an alarm, he ____ late.
A.
B.
C.
6
They ____ you if you had asked for help.
A.
B.
C.
7
If there hadn’t been traffic, we ____ the meeting.
A.
B.
C.
8
She ____ the painting if she had had enough money.
A.
B.
C.
9
If I had seen your message, I ____ back immediately.
A.
B.
C.
10
He ____ hired if he hadn’t been late to the interview.
A.
B.
C.
Third conditional: Past unreal situations
Fill in the gaps with the verbs in brackets in the correct form to make third conditional sentences with would.
1
If I (see) your message earlier, I (call) you back.
2
She (pass) the exam if she (study) harder.
3
If they (leave) five minutes earlier, they (catch) the train.
4
We (book) a table if we (know) the restaurant was so busy.
5
If the weather (be) better, we (go) hiking.
6
He (not/hurt) his ankle if he (wear) proper shoes.
7
If you (tell) me the truth, I (trust) you.
8
They (win) the match if their goalkeeper (not/get injured) .
9
I (send) you the file if I (have) your email address.
10
If the alarm (go) off, we (leave) the building immediately.