If you want to achieve a high score in the Grammar Range and Accuracy criteria of the IELTS test, it's crucial to master the use of conditional sentences. Proficiency in conditional sentence structures is vital. Even though they may seem straightforward, it's essential to understand and learn their variations and inversions to avoid confusion.
In this guide, we'll delve into the definition, structure, and contextual use of conditional sentences, ensuring you grasp the nuances of the third type of conditional sentence.
1. What is conditional sentence type 3?
Conditional sentence type 3 describes events that could not happen in the past. In this situation, the statement always contains an unreal hypothesis.
Third type conditional sentence example:
If Harry had had a map, he wouldn’t have got lost in this city. (If Harry had a map, he wouldn't get lost in this city.)
→ In reality, Harry, in the above example, got lost in the city because he didn't have a map. The speaker hypothesises, “If Harry had a map”, and a result contrary to the truth is “he wouldn't have got lost”.
2. Form of conditional sentence type 3
Similar to other conditional sentences, if-clause-type-3 sentences include two clauses. If clause describes the "if" condition, the other clause describes the main clause "then", indicating events that will happen contrary to the truth. When speakers use conditional sentence type 3, they often express their regret.
If clause (If) | Main Clause (Then) |
|---|---|
If + S + had + Vpp/V-ed, | S + would/could/might + have + Vpp/V-ed .. |
Third type conditional sentence examples:
If I had worked harder I would have passed the exam.
He’d have got the job if he hadn’t been so nervous in the interview.
She wouldn’t have given you a fine if you’d apologised.
3. Inversion form of conditional sentence type 3
In addition to the structures of type 2 conditional sentences, you should grasp the structure of inverted sentences to use when it is necessary.
Had + S (+not) + Vpp , S + would/could/might + have + Vpp
Example:
Had John driven carefully, the accident wouldn’t have happened last night
Had the manager been early, the meeting would have started on time.
4. Use of If-clause type 3
Describe an event/action that did not happen in the past | If Jenny had seen her friends then, she would have invited them to breakfast. |
The use of “Might” describes events that could have happened in the past but it is not certain | If I had worked harder I might have passed the exam. If John had played better, John might have won. |
The use “could” expresses events “qualified” for happening in the past | If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies. If the shops had been open, they could have bought something to eat. |
5. Variations of type 3 conditional sentences
Variation of main clause
Variation of main clause | Example |
|---|---|
If + past perfect, present perfect continuous | If Peter had left Hanoi for Thanh Hoa last Thursday, he would have been swimming at Sam Son Beach last Saturday. |
If + Past perfect, S + would + V-inf | If Destiny had taken the medicine last week, she would recover now. |
Variation of If clause
Variation of If clause | Example |
|---|---|
If + past perfect continuous, S + would/could/might + have + V-pp/V-ed | If Jenny hadn’t been taking care of the children last weekend, she would have gone out. |
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6. Third conditional sentence Exercises (with answers)
Exercise 1: conjugate the appropriate verbs
1. If Anna (to speak) ………………. more slowly, John (to understand) …….………... her.
2. If Daisy (study) ………………. had studied, she (pass) ………………. it.
3. If Peter (ask) ………………. me, I (help) ……………….him.
4. They (swim) ………………. in the sea if there (not / be) …………… so many fishes there.
5. If John (take) ……………... the taxi, he (not / arrive) ………………. on time.
6. If Anna (to go) …….……. to a good restaurant, she (to have) ………………. a better meal.
7. If Sara (to learn) ………………. more words,she (to write) ……………….a good essay.
8. If the sister (to explain) ………………. the homework, Jenny (to do) ………………. it.
9. If Anna (listen) ………………. to me, she (be) ………………. home earlier.
10. If John (not/break) ………………. his leg, he (take part) ………………. in the match.
11. If I (to wait) ………………. for another 1 hour, I (to see) ………………. my idol.
12. If Anna (to buy) ……………….vegetable, her salad (to taste) ………………. better.
13. If Peter (to ask) ………………. me, I (to email) ………………. the data.
14. If Anna (go) ………………. to the park, she (see) ………………. her boyfriend.
Exercise 2: rewrite type 3 conditional sentences in inverted form
1. If I’d studied English at Langmaster, I would have gotten a better job opportunity.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. If Harry hadn’t called me, I might have forgotten about the test.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. If I had come to class on time, I could have caught up with the lesson.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. If they had had more money, they might have been happier.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. If I had won the lottery, I would quit my job.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Exercise 3: select the correct answer to complete the sentence
1. We ____________ got lost if we ____________ not had a map.
A. get/have
B. get/had
C. would have got/had
D. got/would had
2. If you ____________ had a son, ____________ called him Sam?
A. have/call
B. had/would you have
C. would have/would you
D. had/would you
3. If you ________ the film, you ________ it.
A. watch/like
B. had/would you have
C. would watch/liked
D. had watch/would have like
4. I _________ to London if I ________ English.
A. could have gone/had known
B. went/had knew
C. would go/knew
D. go/would know
5. If you _________ added more sugar, the cake _________ better.
A. added/had tasted
B. had added/would have tasted
C. add/taste
D. had added/would tasted
6. I _________ you clearlier if I _________ my glasses.
A. would see/wore
B. saw/wore
C. could have seen/had worn
D. see/had worn
7. We _________ to the beach if we _________ in Florida.
A. would go/were
B. went/were
C. could have gone/be
D. would have gone/had been
8. If my mother _________ breakfast, I _________ really happy.
A. had made/would be
B. made/am
C. makes/was
D. would have made/had been
Answers
Exercise 1: conjugate the appropriate verbs
1. had spoken / would have understood
2. had studied / would have passed
3. had asked / would have helped
4. would have swum / had not been
5. had gone / would have had
6. had taken / would not have arrived
7. had learned / would have written
8. had explained / would have done
9. had listened / would have been
10. had not broken / would have taken part
11. had waited / would have seen
12. had bought / would have tasted
13. had asked / would have emailed
14. had gone / would have seen
Exercise 2: rewrite type 3 conditional sentences in inverted form
1. Had I studied English at Langmaster, I would have gotten a better job opportunity.
2. Had Harry not called me, I might have forgotten about the test.
3. Had I come to class on time, I could have caught up with the lesson.
4. Had they had more money, they might have been happier.
5. Had I won the lottery, I would quit my job.
Exercise 3: select the correct answer to complete the sentence
1. C
| 6. C
|
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