The Third Conditional



The third conditional is for unreal situations in the past. This is why it is called the past unreal conditional. This third conditional lesson shows you how to use it properly and effectively. 


Structure
The third conditional structure is as follows:


IF + SUBJECT + HAD + PAST PARTICIPLE + SUBJECT + MODAL +HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE


Examples:


Could
  • If I had studied for the exam, I could have passed.
Should
  • If you had known about the exam, you should have studied.
Might
  • If he had studied harder for the exam, he might have passed.
Would

  • If I had been you, I would have studied.





USES

Imaginary Situations in the Past


  • If I had gone to university, I would have studied medicine.
  • If I had studied for my exam, I would have passed.
  • I could have won the game if I had tried harder.


Advice in the Past


  • You should have saved your money.
  • You should have studied harder.
  • You should not have bought so many pairs of shoes.



Sometimes, we give advice by showing what we would have done in the same situation.

  • If I had been you, I would not have bought those shoes.
  • If I had been you, I would have quit.


CONTRACTIONS

The combination of a modal verb and "have" are contracted to make the following words:

  • would've
  • could've
  • should've

Take a look at some examples:

  • If I had tried harder, I could've passed my test.
  • If he had woken up earlier, he would've been on time for class.

In conversation, these words are often shortened to make these sounds:

  • woulda
  • coulda
  • shoulda
Keep in mind these are not real words. They are the sounds we make in speaking.

If and When
With the present unreal conditional, you can only use "if". This is because "when" is only used for real situations. Take a look at an example from the future real conditional:


  • When I finish school, I will go to university.



This is a real situation, so we use "when". This does not happen with past unreal conditionals.


The third conditional, or past unreal conditional, is one of the most difficult grammar structures in English. Study the lesson and practice using it in your writing and speaking. 

You can practice the third conditional with these online tests:

Third Conditional Test

Third Conditional Test 2

Second and Third Conditional Test


To listen to the third conditional in songs, try these links:

Taylor Swift - Should've Said No

Brian McKnight - Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda







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