Type 3 Conditional

Form

In a Type 3 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is
the perfect conditional or the perfect continuous conditional.

A. VERBAL SENTENCE ( use for all subjects)

If clause/Sub clause (condition) Main clause (result)
If + past perfect perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional
(+) If + S + had + Verb 3 + O + adv/adj (+) S + would + Have + Verb 3 + O + adv/adj
(-) If + S + Hadn’t + Verb 3 +O + adv/adj (-)S + wouldn’t + Have + Verb 3 + O + adv/adj
(+) If + S + had + Verb 3 + O + adv/adj (-)S + wouldn’t + Have + Verb 3 + O + adv/adj
(-) If + S + hadn’t + Verb 3 +O + adv/adj (+) S + would + Have + Verb 3 + O + adv/adj
(+) / (-) If (?) Would +S + Have + Verb 3 + O + adv/adj
(+) / (-) If (?) Q.W + would +S + Have + Verb 3 + O + adv/adj

We can write sub clause first followed by main clause, or write main clause first followed by sub clause, but the
meaning is identical.
If clause/Sub clause, Main clause ( use comma between if clause and main clause)
Main clause Sub clause (without comma between main clause and if clause).

Examples
 If it had rained, you would have gotten wet.
= You would have gotten wet if it had rained.
 You would have passed your exam if you had worked harder.
= If you had worked harder, you would have passed your exam.

Function

The type 3 conditional refers to an impossible condition in the past and its probable result in the past. These
sentences are truly hypothetical and unreal, because it is now too late for the condition or its result to exist. There
is always some implication of regret with type 3 conditional sentences. The reality is the opposite of, or contrary
to, what the sentence expresses. In type 3 conditional sentences, the time is the past and the situation is
hypothetical (We can use the Third Conditional to talk about 'impossible' conditions, impossible because they are
in the past and we cannot change what has happened).

Examples

 If I had worked harder I would have passed the exam. (But I didn't work hard, and I didn't pass the exam.)
 If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake. (But I didn't know and I didn't bake a cake.)
 I would have been happy if you had called me on my birthday. (But you didn't call me and I was
 not happy.)

In type 3 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of "would" to express the
degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome. It is mean we can use could, should,
might instead of would.

Examples
  If I had worked harder I might have passed the exam.
 You could have been on time if you had caught the bus.

Contractions
Both would and had can be contracted to 'd, which can be confusing if you are not confident with type 3
conditional sentences. Remember 2 rules:
1. would never appears in the if-clause so if 'd appears in the if clause, it must be abbreviating had.
2. had never appears before have so if 'd appears on a pronoun just before have, it must be abbreviating would.

Examples

 If I'd known you were in hospital, I'd have visited you.

= If I had known you were in hospital, I would have visited you.
 I'd have bought you a present if I'd known it was your birthday.
= I would have bought you a present if I had known it was your birthday.
Exercises.

A. Complete the Conditional Sentences (Type III) by putting the verbs into the correct form. Use conditional
III with would in the main clause.
1. If you (study) for the test, you (pass) it.
If you had studied for the test, you would have passed it.
2. If you (ask) me, I (help) you.
3. If we (go) to the cinema, we (see) my friend Jacob.
4. If you (speak) English, she (understand) .
5. If they (listen) to me, we (be) home earlier.
6. I (write) you a postcard if I (have) your address.
7. If I (not / break) my leg, I (take part) in the contest.
8. If it (not/ start) to rain, we (walk) to the museum.
9. We (swim) in the sea if there (not / be) so many sharks there.
10. If she (take) the bus, she (not / arrive) on time.

1. If I had known my friend was in hospital, I _____ (go) to see her.

2. I did not see you in the pool yesterday. If I had seen you, I ______ (swim) with you.
3. My mother did not go to the gym yesterday. She _____ (go) if she had not been so tired.
4. She ____ (not/ leave) home if her father had not disturbed her.
5. If he had been looking in front of himself, he _____ (not/walk) into the wall.
6. The view of the mountain was wonderful. If I had had a camera, I ____ (take) some pictures.
7. She was not thirsty. If she had been thirsty, she ____ (drink) some water.
8. If my grandmother had gone to the university, she _____ (study) science. She likes science a lot.
9. If I had known how to swim, I _____ (swim) when we went to the beach.
10. If you had given a direct address to me, I Display virtual keyboard interface (find) that museum easily.
11. If I had had enough money, I _____ (buy) a big house for myself.
12. We ____ (go) for the picnic yesterday if the weather had not been rainy.