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Conditionals - if Clauses -  Type Three

Type 3 - Third Conditionals

(it is also known as the "past unreal conditional")

The third conditional sentences are used  to talk about situations in the past that didn’t happen and their hypothetical - imaginary consequences.

Important: We use this type only for the actions happened in the past.  Therefore, situations are past and impossible to change and we just imagine the other way.

Example 1:
I didn’t study for the test, so I failed it.     
(It is past and impossible to change and I just imagine the other way and say: )
If I had studied for the test, I wouldn’t have failed it.  (reality: I didn't study, and failed)

Example 2:
She was late for school, because she didn’t go to bed early.
(It is past and impossible to change and I just imagine the other way and say:)
She wouldn’t have been late for school if she had gone to bed early.

Example 3:
My parents didn’t let me go out so I couldn’t go to cinema with you.
(It is past and impossible to change and I just imagine the other way and say:)
If my parents had let me go out , I could have gone  to cinema with you.
    

How to form Third Conditional Sentences

We use Past Prefect Tense  in the condition part.

We use would / could / might + have + verb3 in the main clause.

 

• If I hadn't run, I might have missed the train.


• If you had taken your umbrella, you wouldn't have got wet.


• They could have caught the bus if they had hurried.


• What could you have bought if you hadn't lost your money?


• Would you have come to his party if he'd invited you?


• Might you have apologized to her if she had called you?


• If we had had some time, we could have met.


• Tom would have joined us if he hadn't been ill.


• If I had known it, I would have told you.


• If Sally had studied regularly, she could have passed the test.


• If I hadn't lost your phone number, I might have called you earlier.


• If they had informed me before, they wouldn’t have still been waiting there.


• If she had known the address, she would have been able to help them.


• If I hadn’t had to get up early this morning, I would have slept more.


• If she had been listening to me, she wouldn’t have had any problems in the exam.


• If we had been able to borrow some money,  we could have bought it.

Use of a comma

When we use if clause at the the beginning of the sentence we use a comma (,) :

• If you had taken your umbrella, you wouldn't have got wet.

but when we use if clause at the end of the sentence we don't use a comma:

• You wouldn't have got wet if you had taken your umbrella