Third conditional - Level II

The third conditional is one of the four main forms of conditionals in English. Conditionals are verb tenses that allow us to speculate, hypothesize or imagine what the situation would be like with other conditions. 

In this post we will learn the third conditional at level II, so the explanations are in English and the examples shown have an intermediate difficulty.

Uses of the third conditional

We use the third conditional for:

1. Talking about a past situation that didn't happen and hypothesizing its possible outcomes.

• If Matthew had studied hard enough, he would have passed the exam.
• If I hadn't eaten so much ice cream, I wouldn't be sick now.
• If you had come home last night, you would have seen my brothers.
• If Carol had had the car fixed, she would have driven us to the airport.

Structure of the third conditional

Affirmative sentences

If + past perfect + , + would + have + past participle

• If I had arrived at the station on time, I would have caught the train.
• If we had planned this trip seriously, we would have visited many more places.
• If he hadn't gotten the vaccine, he would have caught the disease.
• If they had trained every day for a month, they would have won the match.

It’s also possible to use the same structure but inverting both clauses and eliminating the comma:

Would + have + participle + if + past perfect

• I would have caught the train if I had arrived at the station on time.
• We would have visited many more places if we had planned this trip seriously.
• He would have caught the disease if he hadn't gotten the vaccine.
• They would have won the match if they had trained every day for a month.

Note: We usually use the contraction ‘d instead of would when using an informal register.

• If Anna had come to the meeting, we’d have seen her. = If Anna had come to the meeting, we would have seen her.
• If Justin had participated, he’d have won the contest. = If Justin had participated, he would have won the contest.

Negative sentences

If + past perfect + , + would not + have + past participle

• If Jerry had had a healthy diet, he would not have had cardiovascular disease.
• If Carolyn hadn't caught the scorpion, it wouldn't have stung her hand.
• If I had received my letter from Hogwarts, I would not have studied at this institute.
• If you hadn't thrown stones at the police, they wouldn't have arrested you.

As in affirmative sentences, you can use the same structure but inverting both clauses:

Would not + have + past participle + if + past perfect

• Jerry would not have had cardiovascular disease if he had had a healthy diet.
• The scorpion wouldn't have stung Caroline’s hand if she hadn't caught it.
• I would not have studied at this institute if I had received my letter from Hogwarts.
• They wouldn't have arrested you if you hadn't thrown stones at the police.

Note: We usually use the contraction wouldn’t instead of would not when using an informal register.

• If we had hurried, we wouldn't have been so late. = If we had hurried, we would not have been so late.
• If you had eaten breakfast, you wouldn't be hungry now. = If you had eaten breakfast, you would not be hungry now.

Interrogative sentences

If + past participle + , + would + subject + have + participle + ?

• If you had gone to college, what career would you have chosen?
• If we had gone on vacation this summer, would you have come with us?
• If you had practiced a little more, would you have passed the driving test?
• If Nathan had asked you out on a date, would you have accepted?

You can also invert both clauses in interrogative sentences without changing the meaning.

Would + subject + have + participle + if + past perfect + ?

• What career would you have chosen if you had gone to college?
• Would you have come with us if we had gone on vacation this summer?
• Would you have passed the driving test if you had practiced a little more?
• Would you have accepted if Nathan had asked you out on a date?