Mixed Conditionals Explained: Simple Rules and Examples

We use different types of conditional to talk about the past, present and future.

Traditionally, we use:

• the zero conditional to talk about the present
• the first and second conditionals to talk about the present or future
• the third conditional to talk about the past

Scroll down for our summary on all of the conditionals, or for more detailed explanations on the conditionals, click here.

A mixed conditional is a conditional sentence that uses two clauses from two different types of conditional. The condition is the if-clause and the result is the main clause.

We call them 'mixed' because they mix the past, present, or future.

You can change the order of the clauses in a conditional sentence. If the sentence starts with the if-clause, you use a comma to separate the two clauses.

• If I had known, I would have helped.

If the result clause comes first and the if-clause comes at the end, we don't need a comma.

• I would have helped if I had known.

Types of Mixed Conditionals

There are two types of mixed conditional. We use both mixed conditionals to talk about unreal or hypothetical situations.

• Type 1: To imagine a different present or future if we changed the past.
• Type 2: To imagine a different past if we change the present.

Type 1: Past condition → Present or future result

We use this mixed conditional to talk about something that happened (or didn't happen) in the past, and its result in the present or future.

This is useful if we want to imagine a different version of the past, and its effect on the present or future.

The structures are:

• If + past perfect, would + infinitive
• If + past perfect, would + be + verb-ing (for present or future continuous results)

We talk about the unreal past event in the if-clause (with part of the third conditional), and the unreal present/future in the result clause (with part of the second conditional.)

Here are some examples:

Unreal past → present result

• If I had gone to bed earlier last night (past), I wouldn't be so tired today (present).
(We imagine that if I did something different last night, I would feel different now.)

• Lucy would know about the meeting now (present) if you had called her yesterday (past).
(We imagine that if you did something different yesterday, the present would be different.)

Unreal past → future result

• If we had booked the tickets earlier last week (past), we would be flying first class next week (future).
(Because we booked late, we aren’t flying first class.)

• He would give a great presentation tomorrow (future) if he had prepared his notes yesterday (past).
(If he prepared better, the presentation might go better tomorrow.)

Type 1 with modal verbs

This type of mixed conditional can also talk about something that happened (or didn't happen) in the past, and the possible result in the present or future. We use modal verbs 'could' and 'might' for possibility instead of certainty.

Here are some of the ways we use modals, and some examples:

(= if the past was different, there's a possibility that the present might be different)

• If they hadn't moved to England, we might still see each other every weekend.
• We could be rich if we had bought that company.

(= a past event didn't happen, but if it had, there's a possibility someone could do something now)

• If he'd practised a bit more, he might be able to play the piano now.
• The children might be able to speak French if they'd moved there when they were younger.

(= if the past was different, something could be happening now or in the future)

• If we'd woken up earlier, we could be enjoying the beach now.
• We could be watching the film by now if we had left earlier.

Type 2: Present condition → Past result

We use this mixed conditional to talk about how a present fact or general truth could have changed something in the past.

The structure is:

• If + past simple, would + have + past participle

We talk about the unreal present thing in the if-clause (with part of the second conditional), and the unreal past effect in the result clause (with part of the third conditional).

We use it to imagine how a different present (usually things that are generally true about us) affected the things we did in the past. We often talk about our likes, dislikes, abilities and habits like this.

• If I spoke French, I would have taken that job in Paris.
(The general truth is that I don't speak French well and this meant that I didn't take the job in the past.)

• If I liked him, I wouldn't have said no to a date!
(The general truth is that I don't like him, and this meant that I said no.)

• I wouldn't have gone travelling if I had a dog.
(The general truth is that I don't have a dog, and this meant that I could go travelling.)

• If I lived with my parents, I wouldn't have moved abroad.
(The general truth is that I don't live with my parents, and this meant that I could move abroad.)

'Was / were'

Traditionally, we use 'were' in the if-clause for all subjects. However, in modern spoken English, many people also say 'was' with I, he, she and it.

• If I were you, I'd have taken the job.
• If I was you, I'd have taken the job.

• If he was shorter, he wouldn't have made the basketball team.
• If he were shorter, he wouldn't have made the basketball team.

Both are fine, but 'were' is more common in formal writing.

Type 2 with modal verbs

This type of mixed conditional can also talk about a present fact or general truth, and the possible result in the past. We use modal verbs 'could' and 'might' for possibility instead of certainty.

The structure is:

(= if the present was different, there's a possibility that the past might have been different)

• If he had a driving licence, he could have rented a car on holiday last year.
• I might have joined the trip last weekend if I had more free time.

How Mixed Conditionals Are Different from Standard Conditionals

Let's review the four main conditional forms.

The Zero Conditional → for general truths or facts.

• If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
(If + present simple, present simple)

For more on the zero conditional, click here.

The First Conditional → for real or possible future situations.

• If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
(If + present simple, future simple)

For more on the first conditional, click here.

The Second Conditional → for unreal or imaginary situations in the present or future.

• If I were rich, I would buy a bigger house.
(If + past simple, would + verb)

For more on the second conditional, click here.

The Third Conditional → for unreal or imaginary situations in the past.

• If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
(If + past perfect, would have + past participle)

For more on the third conditional, click here.

Let's compare a third conditional with a mixed conditional.

A third conditional talks about an unreal past condition and its unreal past result:

• If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.
(past unreal condition → past unreal result)

A mixed conditional, however, talks about two different time periods:

• If I had studied, I would have a better job now.
(past condition → present result)

• If I liked studying, I would have gone to university.
(present condition → past result)

This is useful because we can show:

• How an imaginary past event could have changed the present or future.
• How a different present condition could have changed something in the past.

When we mix time periods, we can talk about cause and effect in different periods. This is something that normal conditionals can't do.

Common mistakes

Here are some common mistakes students often make with mixed conditionals, and how to fix them.

• Incorrect: If I spoke French, I would take that job in Paris last year.
• Correct: If I spoke French, I would have taken that job in Paris last year.

Here, the result talks about the past, but the sentence uses a normal verb 'take' instead of 'have + taken'. We use 'would have + past participle' when the result is in the past.

• Incorrect: If I had saved more money, I would buy a new phone last month.
• Correct: If I had saved more money, I would have bought a new phone last month.

Here, both the condition and the result talk about the past, so this is a third conditional, not a mixed conditional. For past results, always use 'would have + past participle'.

• Incorrect: If I had studied harder, I would of passed the exam.
• Correct: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.

The correct phrase is 'would have', not 'would of'. We use 'have + past participle' in the main clause for unreal past situations. This is a spelling mistake because students hear the short form 'would've' as 'would of'. Lots of native speakers make this mistake!

• Incorrect: If she'd finished her homework, she'd gone out with her friends.
• Correct: If she'd finished her homework, she would have gone out with her friends.

Sometimes 'd means 'had' and sometimes it means 'would'. In this sentence:

• she'd finished = she had finished (in the if-clause is fine)
• she'd gone = she had gone (we can't repeat 'had' in both clauses, and we can't say 'she would gone out' without 'have')

Conclusion

Mixed conditionals let you talk about unreal situations that link the past, present, and future. For example, how a past action could affect the present, or how a present situation could have changed the past.

There are two main types:

Remember to:

• Use the past perfect in the if-clause for past conditions
• Use the past simple in the if-clause for present conditions
• Use 'would + verb' for present or future results
• Use 'might/could + verb' for present or future possibility
• Use 'would have + past participle' for past results
• Use 'might/could have + past participle' for past possibility