Third conditional
I Presentation
Structure Examples and use
Last night it was dry, so I went out.
If it had rained last night, I would have stayed at home.
We use the third conditional when we talk about an
If I had (+ past participle) ..., imaginary or hypothetical situation in the past or thing
I would have (+ past participle) ... that did not happen in the past, so there is no possibility for
this condition. In the above example, the real situation was
Instead of would, we can use that it did not rain.
could or might.
If I had known that he was there, I wouldn't have come.
I would have said hello if I had seen you.
If he hadn't been so tired, he could have finished the race.
Things to remember
• We do not use would in the if-part of the sentence:
If it would have rained had rained last night, I would have stayed at home.
• The if-part of the sentence can go at the beginning or at the end:
If it had rained, I would have stayed at home.
I would have stayed at home if it had rained.
• We can say 'd instead of would or had:
If it had rained, I'd have stayed at home.
I would have said hello, if I'd seen you.
• We normally say 'd had instead of had had:
If I had had 'd had time, I would have sent you an email.
• The third conditional always refers to the past. The second conditional refers to the
present or future:
If it had rained last night, I would have stayed at home.
(It didn't rain last night - past)
If it was raining now, I would stay at home. (It isn't raining now - present)
Unless = if not
I wouldn’t have arrived on time unless I had taken a taxi.
I wouldn’t have arrived on time if I hadn’t taken a taxi.
II. Practice 1
Complete the sentences below
1. Simon woke up late and was 30 minutes late for work. If he……………………….. (wake up) early, he
…………………………………………….(not/be) late for work.
2. I stayed at home yesterday because of the rain. If it………………………………………..…… (not/rain),
I…………………………….……… (go out).
3. The tennis player didn't train at all, but he still won the match. If he………………………………. (not/be)
so talented, he………………………………….. (not/win).
4. I was almost ready to start looking for another job, but then my boss gave me a promotion. If he
………………………………(not/give) me a promotion, I …………………………………..(look) for another job.
5. James won the lottery, so he didn't need to work anymore. He……………………………………. (not/quit)
his job if he……………………………………(not/win) the lottery.
6. Debbie was at the party, but I don't think she saw me. If she………………………………….. (see) me, she
……………………………………….(say) hello.
7. I thought the meeting was at 9am, not 8am. I…………………………….………… (not/be) late if I…………….
…………………………………..(know) what time it started.
8. Mike failed his university exams. If he…………………………………. (study) harder, he…………………………
………………………………. (pass) them
Practice 2
Yesterday, Nick had a lot of problems. Read each problem and write a third conditional sentence
using the ideas below.
change the oil cook his lunch properly do some shopping
have an umbrella keep a diary pay his internet bill
1. He was not able to use the internet.
If he had paid his internet bill, he would have been able to use the internet.
2. He forgot his best friend's birthday.
If he . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. His car broke down.
His car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. He ran out of coffee.
If he . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. He was soaking wet.
If he . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. He got food poisoning in the evening.
If he . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .