Conditional sentence type 3
Third conditional sentence is a conditional sentence when a condition cannot possibly be realized at all. This can be described as a very impossible condition or just a dream or imagination. In this third type of conditional sentence, the sentence form uses the past perfect equipped with auxiliary modalities such as would, could, and should.
Formulas for Conditional Sentence Type 3
The conditional clause (if + condition) uses the past perfect tense, while the main clause (result) uses the perfect modal (modal + have + past participle).
complex sentence | |
---|---|
subordinate clause (if + condition) | main clause (result/consequence) |
if + past perfect | would/should/could/might + have + past participle |
Example of sentences:
If you had remembered to invite me, I would have attended your party.
We might have gone to South America if she had not been pregnant.
If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.
If she hadn't taken the course, she wouldn't have gotten the scholarship.
If I had locked the car, the thief wouldn't have stolen my car.
Had I locked the car, the thief wouldn't have stolen my car.