The Mixed Conditional

1. Types

We can create mixed conditional sentences by mixing the if-clause from one type of conditional sentence with the main clause of another type of conditional sentence.

If I go to the party (zero), I wouldn’t wear a suit (2nd).

If I had more money (2nd), I would have ordered a pizza (3rd).

If I had studied harder when I was a kid (3rd), I would speak Spanish now (2nd).

2. Conjunctions

We can use the following conjunctions instead of ‘if’:

what if assuming (that) imagine if only

as long as so long as even if provided (that)

providing (that) unless on (the) condition (that)

suppose (that) supposing (that)

Even if it rains, I will go jogging.

You can meet your friends, as long as you finish your homework before.

Suppose you get the promotion, what will you do?

Provided that you finish all the work, you can go home early.

3. Inversions

In conditional sentences, we can use an inverted structure instead of ‘if’.

Should you have any questions,…. = If you should have any ….

Were I to meet him,…. = If I met him…

Had you studied more,…. = If you had studied more…..

4. Other ways

Sometimes in spoken English we express conditions in other ways – usually with extra words – or the condition is implied in the context.

I am sure you’d enjoy dancing. Why don’t you try it?

= If you tried dancing, you would enjoy it.

Don’t tell Mike the news. He’d be furious.

= If you told Mike the news, he’d be furious.

With a bit more time , he could have finished the project.

= If he had had a bit more time, he could have finished the project.