C1 · grammar

Mixed Conditionals Exercises (C1) — Free

Mixed conditionals: past causes with present results, and present facts with past results

Mixed conditionals combine two different times in one unreal sentence. The most common type joins an unreal past condition to a present result: if + past perfect, would + base form (If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now). The other type joins a present or permanent situation to a past result: if + past simple, would have + past participle (If I weren't afraid of flying, I would have gone to Japan last summer). To choose the forms, look at each clause separately: what time does the condition refer to, and what time does the result refer to? Time expressions like 'now', 'today', 'yesterday' or 'last year' are your best clues. 'Would' never goes in the if-clause: 'If I would have known' is a very common mistake. With 'be' in the present unreal condition, 'were' is standard for all persons, and 'was' is accepted in informal English. In this exercise, write the verb in brackets in the correct form; use 'would' in the result clause unless the sentence suggests otherwise.