Third conditional

We use third conditional, when we are talking about something in the past which cannot be altered now, the basic structure is like this:​

If we put the main clause first then we don't need the comma.

Uses of third conditional

​It talks about the past. It's used to describe a situation that didn't happen, and to imagine the result of this situation.

• If she had studied, she would have passed the exam (but, really we know she didn't study and so she didn't pass)

  If I hadn't eaten so much, I wouldn't have felt sick (but I did eat a lot, and so I did feel sick).

  If we had taken a taxi, we wouldn't have missed the plane

  She wouldn't have been tired if she had gone to bed earlier

  She would have become a teacher if she had gone to university

Examples

• If you had been more careful, you wouldn't have had an accident.

  If I had seen you, I would have said hello.

  If you had studied, you would have passed the exam.

  If I had known, I wouldn't have done that.

  I wouldn't have left my job if I had known how difficult it is to find another one.

...examples

• I would have taken a photo if I had brought my camera with me.

  He would have died if the ambulance hadn't arrived quickly.

  She would have gone to your birthday party if she hadn't been sick.

  He wouldn't have become lost if he had taken the map with him.

  The team would have won if the referee hadn't taken the bribe.

Select the correct answer to complete the next sentences in third conditional