00:00Third conditional.
00:03There are four different types of conditional sentences.
00:08In this video, we're going to look at third conditionals.
00:12Be sure to check out our videos on zero, first, and second conditionals.
00:17You can find the links in the video description.
00:22The third conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the past.
00:28It describes events or actions that have already not happened because a certain condition was not met.
00:37It's used to reflect on how things might have been different if the past had been different.
00:46Here's an example.
00:49If I had studied harder, I would have graduated earlier.
00:54The third conditional is used because it refers to a hypothetical situation in the past.
01:02The sentence imagines an alternative past where I had studied harder, which would have led to graduating earlier.
01:11Obviously, I can't go back in time and change that.
01:15So third conditional helps reflect on how past events might have turned out differently if conditions had been different.
01:23For this reason, third conditional is often used to express regrets, as it is doing in this sentence.
01:35Let's compare this to second conditional.
01:38Second conditional refers to unlikely or impossible situations in the present or future, like in this sentence.
01:50This is different to third conditional, which describes situations that could have happened in the past but didn't.
02:00Let's now look at the structure that makes this a third conditional sentence.
02:06To form third conditional, we use the word if, followed by the past perfect tense.
02:14Then, to form our second clause, we use the phrase would have, along with a past participle.
02:23And finally, we can see that a comma is used to separate our two clauses.
02:31We can also use the modal verbs could, might or may in place of would, depending on the context.
02:41In this sentence, the condition comes before the result.
02:46We can change the order.
02:48For example, we could say, I would have graduated earlier if I had studied harder.
02:56Now the result comes before the condition.
03:01In this example, the structure is flipped, as you can see here.
03:08If we do this, we don't use a comma between the clauses.
03:14Now we know the structure of third conditionals, let's take a look at a couple more examples.
03:22Number one.
03:24If Sam had waited any longer, he would have missed the train.
03:29Number two.
03:31If we had taken a map, we wouldn't have gotten lost.
03:36Number three.
03:38If he had apologized, I might have forgiven him.
03:43Notice the contraction used in the third sentence, might have, which is the contracted form of might have.
03:54Forming contractions using a modal verb and the word have is very common in spoken English.
04:01In the first sentence, instead of would have, I could use would have.
04:09Also, notice the use of wouldn't have in the second sentence to indicate a negative.
04:18We know these sentences are third conditional because they follow this structure.
04:23If, followed by a clause in past perfect, then a comma, then the phrase would have, then a past participle.
04:36These sentences all refer to hypothetical situations in the past.
04:42For this reason, they cannot happen.
04:47We can also use the phrases I wish and if only to express similar ideas to the third conditional.
04:58These expressions are used to reflect on regrets or hypothetical situations in the past, just like third conditional sentences.
05:09Take these sentences as examples.
05:12I wish I had been at the concert.
05:16If only I had been at the concert.
05:20These sentences are written using past perfect.
05:25Using past perfect tense means we are referring to a regret about a situation in the past.
05:33I'm looking back at a concert that's already been and gone, and I wasn't there.
05:39We can also use I wish and if only with the past simple tense.
05:46Here are the same sentences written using past simple.
05:51I wish I were at the concert.
05:53If only I were at the concert.
05:58Using past simple means I am referring to a wish for a different present reality.
06:04The concert is happening now and I'm not there.
06:09Maybe I'm stuck at home studying.
06:12And remember, we are using were in these examples because we're using the subjunctive mood.
06:22Now let's focus back on third conditionals.
06:25It's time for you to write a third conditional sentence of your own.
06:31Write about something that didn't happen in the past and imagine a different outcome.
06:37If you'd like, use one of these starters.
06:43Here's the usual structure for third conditional sentences.
06:49Also, instead of would, you can use other modals like could, might or may to express possibility, ability or uncertainty.
07:03And finally, remember that we can switch the order like this.
07:09The phrase would have, then the past participle, followed by if, and then a past perfect clause.
07:19Make sure to leave your sentence or sentences in the comments below, because I'd love to see how you went.
07:28And remember, if you haven't already, check out our videos on zero, first, and second conditionals using the links below.
07:38I hope to see you soon for the next lesson.
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