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Unit 2: English In A Minute
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Session 6

Welcome to English In A Minute. Give us a minute and we'll give you a hot tip about English. Grammar, vocabulary... there's so much to learn! And all taught by your favourite BBC Learning English staff!

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

Mixed conditionals

Do you have a minute to spare to learn some English? What are mixed conditionals and how do we use them? Georgina's happy to explain! Give us 60 seconds and we'll give you the English.

Watch the video and complete the activity

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Georgina

Hi! I'm Georgina from BBC Learning English. In today's lesson, we're looking at mixed conditionals.

We usually use mixed conditionals to talk about a past imaginary situation that has a present imaginary result.

For example: If I had eaten breakfast, I wouldn't be hungry now.

The first phrase uses the same structure as the third conditional – if + past perfect. This is because it is a past imaginary situation. It's not true. I didn't eat breakfast.

The second phrase uses the same structure as the second conditional – would + infinitive (no to). This is because it is a present imaginary result. It's not true. I am hungry because I didn't eat breakfast.

Don't forget to put the comma in after the 'if' clause. Bye for now!

Mixed conditionals

Past and present
We usually use mixed conditionals to talk about a past imaginary situation that has a present imaginary result. Remember, this past situation and present result are imaginary. They are not real.

  • If I had eaten breakfast, I wouldn't be hungry now.

Past
The first half of the conditional represents the past. Because of this it uses the same structure as the third conditional – if + past perfect (had + past participle verb).

  • If I had eaten breakfast, I wouldn't be hungry now.
  • If he had studied harder, he would have a good job.

Present
The second half of the conditional represents the present. Because of this it uses the same structure as a second conditional - would + infinitive (no to).

  • If I had eaten breakfast, I wouldn't be hungry now.
  • If he had studied harder, he would have a good job.

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