The 3rd conditional

The 3rd conditional

1. This is used to talk about an imaginary situation in the past or a regret.

   • A typical 3rd conditional uses this formula:
     • If + subject + past perfect (had + verb in past participle), subject + would have + past participle.
       • The first half (If + subject + perfect past) is known as the 'conditional clause' or 'if clause'.
       • The second half (subject + would have + past participle verb) is known as the 'main clause'.
       • These can be placed in any order without changing their meaning. When the main clause appears first, we do not use a comma between them.
         • If I'd been born in Spain, I would have learned Spanish, not English! /What would you have done if you'd failed your test?