If Conditional Type 3

November 24, 2020

If Conditional Type 3

Hi guyss! back again with me, on my blog this time I'll discuss about If Conditional Type 3.

Shape

In type 3 conditional sentences , the tense in the if clause is the past perfect and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional .

If clause (condition)	Main clause (result / effect)
If + past perfect	perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional
If this thing had happened	that thing would have happened.

As in all conditional sentences , the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to adjust pronouns and punctuation marks when changing clause order, but the meaning is the same.

Example :

- If it had rained, you would have gotten wet.

- You would have gotten wet if it had rained.

- You would have passed your exam if you had worked harder.

Function

Type 3 conditionals refer to past probable conditions and possible past outcomes. These sentences are completely hypothetical and unreal because it is too late to do so now and the outcome is impossible. There is always implication of regret in type 3 conditional sentences . The reality is the opposite of what the sentence states. In type 3 conditional sentences , the time is past and the situation is presupposed or not real .

Example :

- If I had worked harder I would have passed the exam. (However, I didn't work hard and I didn't pass the test.)

- If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake. (However, I don't know and I don't bake the cake.)

- I would have been happy if you had called me on my birthday. (However, you didn't call me and I wasn't happy.)

In type 3 conditional sentences , you can also use modal in the main clause instead of would to state the degree of certainty, permission, or recommendation regarding the outcome or outcome.

Example :

- If I had worked harder I might have passed the exam.

- You could have been on time if you had caught the bus.

- If he called you, you could go.

Contraction

Both would and had can be shortened to 'd , which can be confusing if you are unsure about using type 3 conditional sentences . Remember 2 rules:

1. Would never appear in the if clause , so if 'd appears in the if clause , it must be short for had .

2. Had never appears before have , so if 'd appears in front of the pronoun right before have , it must be an abbreviation of would .

Example :

If I'd known you were in hospital, I'd have visited you.

If I had known you were in hospital, I would have visited you.

I'd have bought you a present if I'd known it was your birthday.

Perfect conditional tense

The perfect conditional of any verb has three elements:

would + have + past participle

Have followed by a past participle is also used in other patterns. This pattern is called the " perfect infinitive ".

Subject	+ would	+ have	+ past participle
Hey	would	have	gone
They	would	have	stayed

To Go: perfect conditional

Positive	Negative	Question	Negative Questions
I would have gone	I wouldn't have gone	Would I have gone?	Wouldn't I have gone?
You would have gone	You wouldn't have gone	Would you have gone?	Wouldn't you have gone?
He would have gone	He wouldn't have gone	Would he have gone?	Wouldn't he have gone?
She would have gone	She wouldn't have gone	Would she have gone?	Wouldn't she have gone?
We would have gone	We wouldn't have gone	Would we have gone?	Wouldn't we have gone?
They would have gone	They wouldn't have gone	Would they have gone?	Wouldn't they have gone?