conditional if type 3

 If Conditional Type 3

Definition 

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. In type 3 conditional sentences, the time is the past and the situation is hypothetical.

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.

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 am 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.

Examples

• If I had worked harder I might have passed the exam.
• You could have been on time if you had caught the bus.
• If he called you, you could go.
• If you bought my school supplies for me, I might be able to go to the park.

Formulas for Conditional Sentence Type 3

The conditional clause (if + condition) uses the past perfect tense, while the main clause (result) uses the perfect modal (modal + have + past participle).

complex sentence
subordinate clause (if + condition)	main clause (result/consequence)
if + past perfect	would/should/could/might + have + past participle

If-clause can be at the beginning or middle of a sentence. When if-clause takes place at the beginning of the sentence, a comma is placed before the main clause.

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.

If clause (condition)	Main clause (result)
If + past perfect	perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional
If this thing had happened	that thing would have happened.

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to rearrange the pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but the meaning is identical.

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.
• I would have believed you if you hadn't lied to me before.
• If you hadn't lied to me before, I would have believed you.

dialogue :

Fatiana: Hi, Ros. How was the party?
Ara: I would have gone to the party if it hadn’t rained.
Fatiana: Oh, sorry. I think you went to the party.
Ara: It’s okay. Anyway, you said that you bought a new earphone. How is it?
Fatiana: It’s good. But right after I bought the new one, I found my old earphone in my pencil case!
Ara: Really? So, you have two earphones right now.
Fatiana: Yes. I wouldn’t have bought a new earphone if I had found the old one earlier.