Completing Sentence: Mixed real conditional

Mixed real conditional

In factual conditionals, we usually use the same tense in both clauses, but we sometimes use a mixture of past and present tenses in the clauses:

1. If you saw the film, you know how it ends.

2. If they don’t understand what to do, they probably weren’t listening earlier. 

In predictive conditionals (see Type-B), we usually use the present simple in the if clause, but we can also use the past simple/present perfect.

3. If you studied for the test,  you won’t have any problems.

4. If they’ve finished already,  we’ll give them something else to do.

When we use predictive conditionals to express a preference, we can include would with the verbs of ‘liking’

or ‘not liking’ in the main clause. We can also use would rather plus the base form of a verb when we express a preference between alternatives which have been suggested.

5. If it isn’t too late, we’d like to watch the news on TV.

6. If it’s OK with you, I’d rather stay here.

Mixed unreal conditional

In hypothetical conditionals (see Type-C), instead of connecting an imaginary event to a possible present or future event using would, we can connect it to a possible past event with would have.

7. If we were rich, we would have offered to help those poor people who were suffering.

8. If I were rich, I would have bought that Ferrari we saw yesterday.

In counterfactual conditionals, instead of connecting an imaginary past event to another past event using would have, we can connect it to a present event or situation using would.

9. If your parents hadn’t met, you wouldn’t be sitting here now.