Mixed conditionals

Hi guys, Dan from BBC Learning English.

In this session I’m going to talk to you about mixed conditionals. Third to second and I’m going to do all of it in 90 seconds. I hope! Are you ready? Here we go.

Now, because you’re clever people I know that you know that a third conditional is used for a hypothetical past situation which didn’t happen.

Here’s an example from my life:

If I hadn’t gone to university, I wouldn’t have received my degree.

I did go to university and I did receive my degree. But it’s hypothetical remember.

Also I know that you being clever people are fully aware of what a second conditional is and that is used for a hypothetical or highly unlikely present or future situation. Let me show you another example from my life.

If I didn’t have a degree, I wouldn’t be a teacher.

I do have a degree, and I am, sort of, a teacher, OK?

Now second conditionals and third conditionals are extremely useful for talking about their actions in isolation in their own time. Third conditional for past and second conditional for present but like normal human beings we move through life from past to present to future and a mixed conditional, third to second, is perfect for talking about this.

Let’s go back to my examples and I’ll show you what I mean.

I said: if I hadn’t gone to university, I wouldn’t have received my degree; if I didn’t have a degree, I wouldn’t be a teacher.

But: if I hadn’t gone to university, I wouldn’t be a teacher.

Past action with a present result. You see? It’s easy. And perfect timing as well, look at that.

Now, if you hadn’t watched this video, you wouldn’t now fully understand this grammar. But in case you don’t, have a look at bbclearningenglish.com and check out the information there to find out more about this subject.

I’ve been Dan, you’ve been fantastic. Have a great day.