If Clause Type 3, Conditional Type 3

English Conditional Sentences, If Clause Type 3, Conditional Type 3

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English Conditional Sentences, If Clause Type 3, Conditional Type 3


TYPE 3 – UNTRUE IN THE PAST

In If Clauses Type 3, it is used to reverse the events that occurred in the past, to put forward a condition and to express the result of that condition. It is usually used for sentences that express complaints.

Example Sentences;

  • If I had studied hard enough, I would have passed the math exam.
  • If the student had listened to the teacher carefully, he would have answered the questions easily. ( but he didn’t )
  • If my daugter had seen this toys, she probably would have wanted me to buy them. ( but she didn’t see them)
  • If I had guessed the future, I would have taken some precautions againist what would happen. ( but I didn’t guess)
  • If she had found his phone number, she might have called him for the party. ( but she didn’t find it)
  • If I could have spoken english very well, I would have talked to the tourists in Paris. ( but I couldn’t)
  • If he had been good at math, he would have got a high score from the exam last week. ( but he wasn’t good at)
  • If we had had the necessary ingredients for a cake, we could have made a cake. ( but we didn’t have)
  • If I had been a smart boy, I would not have annoyed my mother. ( but I wasn’t a smart boy)
  • If Marry had had a meeting, she would have gone to the Office. ( but she didn’t have a meeting)
  • If I had waited for you more, I would have missed the plane. ( but I didn’t wait )
  • If she had gone on a picnic, she would have had a lot of fun. ( but she didn’t go)

 



Structures that we can use in the basic sentence;

1-Would have done and would have been doing

  • If he had worn a coat, he wouldn’t have caught a cold.
  • If she had started to work earlier, he wouldn’t have still been working at midnight.

 

2-Would have been able to and would have had to

  • If your friend had helped me with the presentation, I wouldn’t have had to work on it until midnight.
  • If I hadn’t run to the bus stop, I wouldn’t have been able to catch the bus.

 

3-Might have done (possibility) and could have done (permission and ability)

  • If your boyfriend had been well-qualified, he might have been considered for the post.
  • If he hadn’t learnt all the prepositions by heart, I couldn’t have done well on the test.

 

Structures that can be used in conditional statement;

1-Past Perfect Tense

  • If there had been enough people, we would have started the meeting.

 

2-Past Perfect Continuous (had been doing)

  • If I had been wearing my seat belt at the time of the accident, I wouldn’t have got so badly injured.
  • If she hadn’t been sleeping when I got home, I could have given her the news.

 

3-Had had to and  had been able to

  • If I hadn’t had to work on my office last night, I could have watch my favourite movie.
  • If they hadn’t been able to persuade their landlady, she wouldn’t have paid for the burst pipe in the bathroom.
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