Third Conditional
Listen to four conversations using the grammar point.
Answer the following questions about the interview.
Third Conditional
Point 1: We construct the third conditional using "if" + past perfect (had + past participle).
- If I had studied more in school, I would have gotten better grades.
- If we had left earlier, we would have caught the train.
- If she had known the truth, she wouldn't have believed him.
- If I had stayed home, I would not have gotten in trouble.
Point 2: The third conditional is employed to express outcomes that are beyond our control or have already occurred, thus cannot be changed.
- If I were you, I would have said something.
- If we had won the match, I would have been ecstatic.
- If they had invited us, we would have attended the party.
- If she was upset, she would have said something.
Point 3: The third conditional clause can go before or after the main clause.
- I would have said something if I were you.
- I would have been ecstatic if we had won the match,
- We would have attended the party if they had invited us.
- She would have said something if she was upset.
Point 4: The modal "would" is contracted and barely heard in spoken English.
- I'd have said something if I were you.
- I'd have been ecstatic if we had won the match,
- We'd have attended the party if they had invited us.
- She'd have said something if she was upset.
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