Lesson Summary
The third conditional is used to express regret and talk about things we wish we could change about the past (but we can't)! In this lesson, I'll show you how to use it, share lots of examples, plus help you to practice!
The 3rd Conditional:
If + past perfect, perfect conditional (would have + past participle)
Stick about for the mini-quiz at the end of the lesson!
CLICK HERE to read the full lesson transcript.
More English lessons recommended for you:
Video Transcript
Section 1
Well hey there I'm Emma from mmmEnglish! Tell me have you ever wished that a situation from the past had been different? Maybe you wished that you'd behave differently or wished that you'd said yes to something that you didn't?
Of course, you have! This is part of being human, isn't it? We all go through it. So I know that you are going to love today's lesson.
Today we are going to dive deep on some awesome grammar, the third conditional. Now I hope you're not eye-rolling on me. Yes, this is a grammar lesson but it's an incredibly useful one to talk about our regrets and our disappointments.
Sounds kind of grim, doesn't it?
There are lots of useful ways to learn and practise with this grammar structure and I don't know about you but I'm excited to get started. Let's go!
Now you probably know that there are several types of conditional sentences in English. I've made lessons about many of them already.
But like all conditional sentences, the third conditional has two clauses. The ‘if' clause and the main clause.
But unlike the zero, the first and the second conditionals this one talks about the past and specifically an unreal past, not a true past, an unreal one. We use the third conditional to imagine a situation in the past and the imaginary result which is also in the past, okay?
So it's imaginary. It's not real, it's not true okay because we can't change the past. Sometimes we wish we could but we can't.
So that's why you'll often hear the third conditional being used to talk about regrets, things that we wish were different.
So let's look at a few examples to get started.
- If I had left earlier, I wouldn't have missed my flight.
So I'm a bit upset about that, right? I'm upset I missed my flight. I wish that I had have left my house a little bit earlier and not run late.
I wish that I could go back in time and be on the plane but I can't because my flight's gone. There's nothing that I can do about it now except buy another ticket.
Well we can use the third conditional to show how angry or how frustrated we are about this situation, right?
- Now look if you hadn't been so rude, they would have invited you back.
You were rude? Obviously, that didn't work out well for you, did it?
Now they're not going to invite you back again in the future. You can't go back and change it now, can you? Whether you want to or not so I'm just gonna use the third conditional now to tell you off.
- If I hadn't been going so fast, I wouldn't have been fined.
Yeah, I got fined which is annoying but it's already happened. I can't change it now, right? That's something you definitely can't change.
So we use the third conditional to talk about things that we regret, things that we wish we could change about the past and also to tell someone off for something that they did in the past.
So it's pretty useful, right? It's a really handy structure to have up your sleeve, to know.
All right so let's talk about what it looks like now.
if + past perfect , perfect conditional
So to make the third conditional, we need a few things. We need ‘if' and the past perfect. Then we need a comma and then we need the perfect conditional.
You might be wondering what the heck is the past perfect or the perfect conditional?
So think about it this way. The past perfect is subject with ‘had' and the past participle verb.
- If I had left earlier…
- If you hadn't been so rude…
- If I hadn't been going so fast…
Okay these are all examples of the past perfect.
Now the perfect conditional is subject with ‘would have' and the past participle verb. So it's just the present perfect with ‘would' in front of it.
- … I wouldn't have missed my flight.
- … they would have invited you back.
- … I wouldn't have got that ticket.
So let's put the third conditional altogether.
We need ‘if', the subject, ‘had' and the past participle then our comma, very important, followed by our subject, ‘would have' and the past participle.
if + subject + had + past participle , + subject + would + have + past participle
That's the third conditional.
So let's look at some examples to help it sink in a little, right?
- If you had called me, I would have come.
Let's do our third conditional checks first all right.
Are we talking about the past or the present here?
It was in the past but did it actually happen?
No, you didn't call so I didn't come. I wish that I could change this because I'd love to come.
- If she had replied to my message, I wouldn't have been so worried.
So I'm kind of telling her off here right? I'm a bit frustrated. Did she reply to my message? But was I worried? Yeah. I wish that she had so that I didn't have to worry, you know.
- If I had taken better care of myself, I wouldn't have got sick.
So I'm expressing regret about the past here. I wish I'd taken better care of myself.
Now you'll remember from some of my other conditional lessons that we can actually use different modal verbs in the main clause.
So we can replace ‘would have' with other modals like ‘might' and ‘could'.
might have > probability / certainty
So we use ‘might have' to show probability or certainty.
- If she'd studied more, she might have passed.
But she might have also failed again. We're not sure. We're not certain, right?
If we were certain about that imaginary result in the past, then we would use ‘would have'. That's more certain.
Since we're not exactly sure about what the result would have been, then using ‘might have' is probably the better option.
could have > possibility / ability
Now we use ‘could have' to talk about possibility and ability.
- If you had lent me your car, I could have got there faster.
Now I'm not promising that I absolutely would have. I'm just saying that I would have been able to get there faster. You know, with a car I would have the ability to arrive sooner.
So now that we've broken it down a little bit, how are you feeling about the third conditional? Hopefully, it was some good reminders from the other conditional lessons.
And if you're thinking something along the lines of if I'd seen this video earlier, I wouldn't have been so confused. Well, I must be doing something right.
Practice mini-quiz
So now we're going to put everything we just learned into practice with a little mini-quiz. My favourite! And I wonder if you're gonna ace this little quiz or not. Let's see.
Okay for the quiz, I'm gonna give you a few past situations and I want you to use the information that I'm sharing to write a sentence using the third conditional. Make sure you check the structure.
Make sure you're writing it accurately. So write your answers in the comments down below and I'll come down and check how you've done very soon.
And make sure you think carefully about which modal verb is the right one to use. We'll go through the first one together okay.
So here's the situation.
You had a job interview in the past but you didn't prepare for it. You didn't get the job and now you kind of regret not preparing for it. You wish that you prepared more.
So what's a sentence that we can write here?
If I had prepared more, then maybe the result would have been different.
- If I had prepared more, I might have got the job.
So now it's your turn. I'm gonna read out some of these situations. I want you to pause the video if you need to to write your sentence, think about the structure. Clearly try and get that third conditional sentence right.
Here we go.
Situation one.
- Your friend was in trouble
- They needed help
- You had the ability to help
- But he never told you that he was in trouble
Situation two.
- You showed up at a dinner party empty-handed
- Everyone else had bought a dish to the party
- You wish that you had brought something
- But you didn't know that you're supposed to
Situation three.
- He was talking on the phone while driving
- He got pulled over by the police
- He got a huge fine
- Now he regrets using his phone in the car
Situation four.
- Sarah went on a hike
- She didn't bring a rain jacket
- It started raining
- And now Sarah's upset because she got really wet
Awesome work, guys! I know that conditionals can be a little overwhelming because of the subtle differences between all of the different types of conditionals but also the significant differences in meaning.
So hopefully with each of my conditional lessons, it's becoming a little clearer. So if you're enjoying this series, make sure you share this lesson, like the lesson, share it with anyone that you think will find it useful.
I'm sure there are plenty of other students out there who are just as frustrated with conditionals as you are.
So once you've done that, come and check out these lessons right here so we can keep practising together. I'll see you soon!
mmmEnglish Video Lessons are a series of video lessons created to build confidence in English learners and focus on English in daily life. Download them and watch them anywhere! Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to be the first to get my new videos, and come and say hi on my Facebook page!!
1. If I had known my friends were in trouble I could have helped them.
2. If I had been more thoughtful, I wouldn't have come to the party empty-handed, I would have brought something.
3. He wouldn't have been fined if he hadn't talked on the phone while driving.
4. Sarah wouldn't have got wet if she had brought a rain jacket on a hike.
Fabulous work, Kira! Looks like you have a good understanding of third conditionals ✅
This is so fantastic…I really love this mail
1. If he had told me he was in trouble, I would have helped him.
2. If I had known that everybody would brought a dish to the party, I would have brought something too.
3. If he hadn't been talking on the phone while driving, he haven't gotten a huge fine.
4. If Sarah had brought her rain jacket on the hike, she wouldn't have gotten really wet when it started to rain.
Hi Kira,
For number 3,
3. He wouldn't have been fined if he hadn't talked on the phone while driving.
This sentence would be more natural if used the verb ‘talk' in the past perfect continuous, as conversation/phone usage is a continual activity.
NB. He wouldn't have been fined if he hadn't been talking on the phone while driving.
If my friend had told me that he was in trouble, I might have helped him.
If he hadn’t talked on the phone while driving, he wouldn’t have pulled over by the
Police and wouldn’t have got a huge fine.
If Sarah had brought a rain jacket when she was hiking, she wouldn’t have got wet.
If he hadn’t talked on the phone while driving, he wouldn’t have been pulled over by the police and wouldn’t have got a huge fine. ✅
If he had told me about his trouble, I could have helped him.
He wouldn't have got a fine if he hadn't talked on the phone while driving.
She wouldn't have been wet if she had brought a rain jacket.
Hi Emma, thank you so much for having such great style of teaching English,that I never heard before, please continue to do so.
Best regards, Ahmed
Just out of curiosity, is it grammatically correct if I wrote: If he hadn’t talked on the phone while driving, he wouldn’t have been pulled over by the police and got a huge fine.
Yes, that is correct, Hailey!
Certainly, the past d'ont exist and we can't change it, but serve to improve our future live.
Thaks.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Certainly, the past d'ont exist and we can't change it, but serve to improve our future live.
Thaks.
1. If my friend had told me about his trouble, I would have helped him.
2. If I had known this before,I would have brought a dish to the party.
3.If he hadn't used the phone while driving, the police wouldn't have fined him.
4. if Sarah had brought rain jacket on a hike, she wouldn't have got wet.
4. if Sarah had brought a rain jacket on the hike, she wouldn't have got wet. ✅
Hi Emma.. How are you doing?
I have been watching and following your videos for such a long time. I totally love and adore the way you present your lessons. Lots of things I have grabbed and learned from your incredible vids.
Emma…I am from Indonesia it's your neighboring country. I wish you could visit my lovely country and I ‘ll show you around of course.I live in a city called Bogor about 6o km from Jakarta the capital city of Indonesia.
Ok Emma that's it from me. If you don't mind I would like you to check and correct my writing here.
Thanks a million, Emma
Keep the good work!
Looking forward to seeing your next vids!
Beautifully explained.Simple and logical down the line.
1. – If my friend had told me about his problem, I could have helped him.
2. – If I had knew supposed to buy something, I would have bought something.
3. – If I hadn't talked on the phone, I would haven't gotten a huge fine.
4. – If Sarah had brought a rain jacket, she wouldn't have gotten wet.
1- If they had told me the trouble, I might have helped them.
2-If I had known supposed to bring something, I would have bought it.
3- If he hadn't talked on the phone, he would haven't gotten a huge fine.
4- If Sarah had brought a jacket, she wouldn't have gotten wet.
1- If they had told me about their trouble, I might have helped them. ✅
2- If I had known I was supposed to bring something, I would have brought something ✅
Hello Emma! you are a great teacher but write a comment is not easy for me. You are my pleasure. 1.If my friend had told me about his trouble, I would have helped him.
2.If I had known about the specific of the party, I would be not so embarrassing at a dinner party
because I could have brought something.
3.If he had not been using his phone in the car, he would have not got a huge fine. 4.If Sarah had known that started raining while a hike, she would have brought a rain jacket.
Hello Emma thanks a lot for your help, your videos are very useful for my learning English, I really appreciate them. It's the first time I'm participating here and I'd be delighted if I were answered by you. These are my responses:
1. My friend had talked to me the problem he happened, I'm quite sure I(‘d have /could have) helped him properly.
I'm quite sure I could have helped him if my friend had talked about such a problem.
2. If someone had warned us that everyone was going to bring some dish, I'd have brought a chocolate cake.
3. If Peter hadn't used the mobile while he rode the car, he wouldn't have fined by the police
4. Sara wouldn't have soaked up if she had remembered to catch an umbrella.
Firstly I want to express my gratitude for your awesome lessons.
If my friend had told me that he was in trouble I could have helped him.
If I had known that I was supposed to bring somesing I would not have come empty-handed.
If I had not talked on my phone while I was driving I would not have pulled over by the police.
If Sarah had taken his rain coat she could not have got really wet.
Hi, dear Emma! I am watching your video and I am as pleased as always! You just(I don't know if it is correct to say: nailed me as you just hit a very special thought I always worry about!)I wish I could go back and change many things I didn't do right, truly!
Thanks alot for reminding me this grammar aspects I loved when I studied them at the English lessons many years ago. I wish I hadn't lost my old books but now I have you kind lessons and well, I dream about going back, and become younger. I'm 80, imagine my sorrow about not being able to go back in the past and change a lot of situations that probably would have made happier. Thanks a lot, again and again. Martha (from Mexico!)
Dear Emma, this is just to correct the mistakes I made above:
Thanks a lot – I wrote it: Thanks alot.
I have your kind lessons – I wrote: I have you kind lessons
Would have made me happier – I wrote: would have made happier.
Hello Emma!! Just to say: You're the best!! 😉
You're the best, Borges!
If I had prepared for the interview better, I would have gotten the job
Correct!
1. If they had told me to bring a dish, I would have brought mine too.
2. If she had told me earlier about her problem, I could have given her help
3. If he hadn't talked on the phone while driving, he wouldn't have gotten a huge fine
4. If Sarah had brought a raincoat or umbrella, she wouldn't have gotten wet
Nice work, Isagani!
Dear Emma
At first, I am so thankful because of your awesome way of teaching english and your effective relation with your followers.
Here my answers:
1.If my friend had told me about her trouble, I could have helped her.
2. If I had known that I was supposed to, I would have brought sth.
3. If he had'nt talked with the phone, he might not have got a huge fine.
4. If she had brought a rain jacket, she would'nt have got wet.
1.If you had called me, I might have help you fixed the problem.
2.If I had been informed earlier to bring something at the party, I wouldn't come here empty handed.
3.If you have parked properly while on the phone, you wouldn't pulled out by the police.
4.If she had brought her rain jacket, she couldn't be wet when it rains.
2.If I had been informed earlier to bring something to the party, I wouldn't have come here empty-handed. ✅
3.If you had parked the car while on the phone, you wouldn't have been pulled over by the police. ✅
4.If she had brought her rain jacket, she couldn't have got wet when it rained ✅
Hello Emma,
I'd like to thank you for your interesting lesson.
Here are my sentences.
If my friend had told me that he was in trouble, I could have helped him.
If I had known that I was supposed to buy a dish to the dinner party, I would have brought something.
If he hadn’t talked on the phone while driving, he wouldn’t have got a fine.
If Sarah had brought her rain jacket on a hike, she wouldn’t have got wet.
All the best,
Jolanta
All correct, Jolanta. Excellent work!
1- If I knew my friend was in trouble, I could have helped him.
2- If I hadn't used my phone while I was driving, I wouldn't have got a fine.
3- If I had brought my rain jacket, I wouldn't have got wet.
All correct ✅ Nice work, Mayra!
Hello Emma, I really appreciate your videos, I have a lot of fun listening to them Thank you very much for the help you give us in the study of the English language
If I had known that my friend was in trouble, I could have helped him
If I had supposed that I had to buy a dish for the party, I wouldn't have gone empty-handed
If I hadn't talked on the phone while driving, I wouldn't have got a huge fine
If I had brought a rain jacket to go on a hike, I wouldn't have got wet
If I had known I was supposed to buy a dish for the party, I wouldn't have gone empty-handed ✅
For months I’ve been following you and watching your videos.
Curious by nature, I also see what Lucy and Vanessa propose, but I must confess to always coming back to you because I like your way of doing so pleasant and consistent.
I am near Evian right next to Switzerland. Now Senior I'm truing to maintain my English but although tempted by your lessons, like a mountain bear, I dread the mostly virtual groups. Talking behind my PC screen is unbearable to me, too bad you’re so far away… However, I would like to support you as your approach suits me.
Thank you Emma for your work and your way of being and teaching.
(I hope I didn’t make too many mistakes )
Thank you very much my teacher.
If only he had told me he was in trouble, I could have helped him. If he hadn't talked on the phone while he was driving, he wouldn't have got a fine. If she had brought her rain jacket, she would have got wet.
Thank you very much. All the best.Guido
If she had brought her rain jacket, she would not have got wet.
Fabulous work though, Guido!
If my friend had told me he was in trouble, I could have helped him.
If I had know, I would have brought something to the party.
If I had't been talking on the phone while driving, I wouldn't have gotten a huge fine.
If Sarah had brought a rain jacket, she wouldn't have gotten wet.
I love your videos
If I hadn't been talking on the phone while driving, I wouldn't have gotten a huge fine.
If I had known, I would have brought something to the party.
Fabulous work though, Judith!
Hi Emma,
Here are my answers :
1 : If you had told me you were in trouble, I could have helped you.
2 : If I had known that I was supposed to bring something, I wouldn't have showed up empty-handed.
3 : If I hadn't uses my phone in the car, I wouldn't have had a huge fine.
4 : If I had brought a rain jacket during the hike, I wouldn't have been so wet.
Thank you for your very nice lessons 🙂
3: If I hadn't used my phone in the car, I wouldn't have got a huge fine. ✔
(great work though!)
1. If my friend had told me about his trouble, I might have helped him.
2. if Sarah had brought her rain jacket during hiking, she wouldn't have wet in rain while it start.
1 – If he had told me he was in trouble, I could have helped him.
2 – If I had known that it was supposed to bring a dish to the party, I would have made something.
3 – If he hadn't talked on the phone while driving, he wouldn't have got a huge fine.
4 – If Sarah had brought a jacket, she wouldn't have got so wet.
1-If he had told me he was in trouble, I could have helped him.
2-If I had warned that I was supposed to bring food, I wouldn’t have showed with nothing.
3-If I hadn’t been on the phone while driving, I wouldn’t have got fined.
4-If she had got some rain jacket, she wouldn’t have got wet.
If i have saved money. I will go to japan.