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Unit 8: Mixed conditionals
Stop using the present perfect too much!

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  1. 1 Go beyond intermediate with our new video course
  2. 2 Reported speech in 90 seconds!
  3. 3 If or whether?
  4. 4 5 ways to use 'would'
  5. 5 Let and allow
  6. 6 Passive voice
  7. 7 Unless
  8. 8 Mixed conditionals
  9. 9 The zero article - in 90 seconds
  10. 10 The indefinite article - in 90 seconds
  11. 11 The. That's right - the! Learn all about it in 90 seconds
  12. 12 The continuous passive
  13. 13 Future perfect
  14. 14 Need + verb-ing
  15. 15 Have something done
  16. 16 Wish
  17. 17 Word stress
  18. 18 Different ways of saying 'if'
  19. 19 Passive reporting structures
  20. 20 The subjunctive
  21. 21 When and if
  22. 22 Inversion
  23. 23 Phrasal verbs
  24. 24 The future
  25. 25 Modals in the past
  26. 26 Narrative tenses
  27. 27 Phrasal verb myths
  28. 28 Conditionals review
  29. 29 Used to - review
  30. 30 Linking words of contrast

Session 1

Mixed conditionals

You're probably familiar with second and third conditional sentences, but did you know you can mix them up? Learn how to do it from Dan - in just 90 seconds.

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

BBC English Class

Mixed conditionals

You're probably familiar with second conditionals and third conditionals. But what about mixed conditionals? These are a combination of second and third conditionals. Dan explains all in 90 secs. 

Watch the video and complete the activity

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Hi guys, Dan from BBC Learning English.

In this session I'm going to talk to you about mixed conditionals. Third to second and I'm going to do all of it in 90 seconds. I hope! Are you ready? Here we go.

Now, because you're clever people I know that you know that a third conditional is used for a hypothetical past situation which didn't happen.

Here's an example from my life:

If I hadn't gone to university, I wouldn't have received my degree.

I did go to university and I did receive my degree. But it's hypothetical remember.

Also I know that you being clever people are fully aware of what a second conditional is and that is used for a hypothetical or highly unlikely present or future situation. Let me show you another example from my life.

If I didn't have a degree, I wouldn't be a teacher.

I do have a degree, and I am, sort of, a teacher, OK?

Now second conditionals and third conditionals are extremely useful for talking about their actions in isolation in their own time. Third conditional for past and second conditional for present but like normal human beings we move through life from past to present to future and a mixed conditional, third to second, is perfect for talking about this.

Let's go back to my examples and I'll show you what I mean.

I said: if I hadn't gone to university, I wouldn't have received my degree; if I didn't have a degree, I wouldn't be a teacher.

But: if I hadn't gone to university, I wouldn't be a teacher.

Past action with a present result. You see? It's easy. And perfect timing as well, look at that.

Now, if you hadn't watched this video, you wouldn't now fully understand this grammar. But in case you don't, have a look at bbclearningenglish.com and check out the information there to find out more about this subject.

I've been Dan, you've been fantastic. Have a great day.

Summary

Mixed conditionals are made from the conditional clause of a third conditional and the main clause of a second conditional. 

They describe a hypothetical situation in the past, a situation that didn't happen, and what the consequences of that situation would be for the present.

To do

Test your understanding of this kind of mixed conditional in the quiz.

Mixed conditionals

5 Questions

Each question has a mixed conditional sentence. Choose the best options to complete the sentences.

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End of Session 1

That's it, that's the end of Session 1. Now head over to Session 2 for the vocabulary of the news.

Session Grammar

  • Mixed conditional

    Uses the conditional clause of a third conditional with the main clause of a second clause.

    Expresses the hypothetical present result of a hypothetical past action.

    The basic form is:

    if + subject + had + past participle, would + infinitive without to

    If I hadn't gone to university, I wouldn't be a teacher.

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Session Vocabulary

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