English grammar
Recap: third and mixed conditionals
Look back on the past and imagine how things could have turned out, with third and mixed conditionals.
From the scene If someone had told me…
In short
Third conditional: a different past. Mix conditionals when times differ: if you hadn't helped me, I'd be in Galicia now.
Your turn
Which one goes with another past → past?
Options: if you hadn't lost your keys, we'd never have met · if someone had told me, I wouldn't have believed it · if you hadn't helped me, I'd be in Galicia now
Show answer
another past → past → if you hadn't lost your keys, we'd never have met
How it works
If + past perfect with would have + participle imagines a different past (if someone had told me, I wouldn't have believed it).
Good to know
Mix them when the time frames differ: a past condition with a present result (if you hadn't helped me, I'd be in Galicia now) or a present condition with a past result (if you were braver, you'd have opened it years ago).
past condition → past result if someone had told me, I wouldn't have believed it
Nuria
If someone had told me then, I wouldn't have believed it.
Si me lo hubieran dicho entonces, no me lo habría creído.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
If someone had told me then, (blank).
Options: If you hadn't lost your keys · If you hadn't helped me · I wouldn't have believed it
Show answer
Nuria
If someone had told me then, I wouldn't have believed it.
Si me lo hubieran dicho entonces, no me lo habría creído.
another past → past if you hadn't lost your keys, we'd never have met
Elena
If you hadn't lost your keys that day, we'd never have met.
Si no hubieras perdido las llaves aquel día, no nos habríamos conocido.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) that day, we'd never have met.
Options: If you hadn't lost your keys · I wouldn't have believed it · If you hadn't helped me
Show answer
Elena
If you hadn't lost your keys that day, we'd never have met.
Si no hubieras perdido las llaves aquel día, no nos habríamos conocido.
past condition → present result if you hadn't helped me, I'd be in Galicia now
Nuria
That's true. If you hadn't helped me, I'd be in Galicia now.
Es verdad. Si usted no me hubiera ayudado, ahora estaría en Galicia.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
That's true. (blank).
Options: If someone had told me, I wouldn't have believed it · If you hadn't lost your keys, we'd never have met · If you hadn't helped me, I'd be in Galicia now
Show answer
Nuria
That's true. If you hadn't helped me, I'd be in Galicia now.
Es verdad. Si usted no me hubiera ayudado, ahora estaría en Galicia.
present condition → past result if you were braver, you'd have opened it years ago
Elena
If you were braver, you'd have opened it years ago, dear.
Si fueras más valiente, la habrías abierto hace años, hijo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), dear.
Options: If you hadn't lost your keys, we'd never have met · If you were braver, you'd have opened it years ago · If someone had told me, I wouldn't have believed it
Show answer
Elena
If you were braver, you'd have opened it years ago, dear.
Si fueras más valiente, la habrías abierto hace años, hijo.
present condition → present result if it weren't for you, there'd be no book
Elena
...there'd be no book, dear. Your keys are chapter one.
...no habría libro, cariño. Tus llaves son el capítulo uno.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
...(blank), dear. Your keys are chapter one.
Options: we'd never have met · there'd be no book · I wouldn't have believed it
Show answer
Elena
...there'd be no book, dear. Your keys are chapter one.
...no habría libro, cariño. Tus llaves son el capítulo uno.
Common mistake
Not wouldn't have or haven't here. Nuria, the past.
If you hadn't lost your keys that day, we'd never have met.
Si no hubieras perdido las llaves aquel día, no nos habríamos conocido.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| past condition → past result | if someone had told me, I wouldn't have believed it |
|---|---|
| another past → past | if you hadn't lost your keys, we'd never have met |
| past condition → present result | if you hadn't helped me, I'd be in Galicia now |
| present condition → past result | if you were braver, you'd have opened it years ago |
| present condition → present result | if it weren't for you, there'd be no book |
More lines from the story
- NuriaAll of it. I'd never have imagined I'd illustrate a book.Todo. Nunca habría imaginado que ilustraría un libro.