Third Conditional

Rule

• • The Third Conditional uses if + past perfect (the past of the past, e.g., had eaten) in the 'if' clause.
  • The main clause uses would have + past participle (the 3rd form of a verb, like eaten), for example: would have eaten.

Usage

• • We use the Third Conditional to talk about past events that didn't occur, and imagine what would have happened.
  • It's for situations that are impossible now because they're in the past.
  • It helps express regret or what could have been.

Examples

• If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
• If she had taken the job, she would have moved to Paris.
• If we had known about the party, we would have attended.
• If he had been more careful, he wouldn't have had the accident.
• If they had saved more money, they would have bought the house.
• If it hadn't rained, we would have gone to the park.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong: If I would have studied harder, I would have passed. Correct: If I had studied harder, I would have passed.
• Wrong: If she taken the job, she would have moved. Correct: If she had taken the job, she would have moved.
• Wrong: I would have eaten if I had more time. Correct: I would have eaten if I had had more time.

Tip