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.