Mixed Conditionals Definition

Mixed Conditionals

i) Third Second Mixed Conditionals

If + Past Perfect, + Would + Base Form

1/ For imaginary present actions or situations that are not possible because the necessary conditions were not met in the past. eg: If you had taken the course, you would know about it. (The conditions were not met because the person did not do the course and as a result does not know about it now.)

ii) Second Third Mixed Conditionals

If + Past Simple, + Would have + Past Participle

1/ To avoid the illogicality of saying 'If I had been you', which means that I was not you on that occasion, but could be in the future, which is, of course, impossible.

eg:If I were you, I wouldn't have done that.

2/ Where the first part is still true:

eg:If I could speak Spanish, I wouldn't have needed to get the letter translated.

This means that I couldn't speak Spanish then when I needed the translator and still can't.