Exercise 6
There are four basic types of conditional sentences in English: zero, first, second and third. Mixed conditionals combine the second and third conditional.
If I practise a lot, I always win. (zero)
If I practise a lot, I will win. (first)
If I practised a lot, I would win. (second)
If I had practised a lot, I would have won. (third)
If I had practised a lot last month, I would win now. (mixed)
Conditionals exercises with answers and grammar rules for pre-intermediate to advanced learners of English as a foreing language.
In the mixed conditionals we can combine the present and past actions.
He could go out now if he had done it yesterday. (He didn't do it and can't go out.)
If I had worked hard when I was young, I wouldn't be poor now. (I didn't work hard and I am poor.)
If we hadn't put on the raincoats while it was raining, we would have a bad cold now. (We put on the raincoats and we are OK now.)
We can also make this type of sentences by changing the word order in the if clause.
Had I booked the holiday on time, I wouln't be sitting at home now. (I didn't book the holiday and now I'm sitting at home.)