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5. Mixed Conditional

There are situations where the time in the if-clause is different than that in the main clause. 

This type of situation is called mixed conditional.  You can have the following combination of mixed conditionals.

(i)   Past Unreal with Present Unreal

(ii)  Past Unreal with Future Unreal

(iii)  Present Unreal with Past Unreal

(iv)  Present Unreal with Future Unreal

(v)   Future Unreal with Past Unreal

(vi)  Future Unreal with Present Unreal

(i)  Past Unreal with Present Unreal

a. If I had won the lottery, I would buy a vacation home now.

=> Because I did not win the lottery, I cannot buy a vacation home now.

 (If-clause: Unreal situation in the past.  Main clause: unreal situation in the present)

b. If Joe hadn’t committed suicide, his kids would have a father.

=> Because Joe committed suicide, his kids do not have a father.

(ii)  Past Unreal with Future Unreal

a. If Adam had bought the big screen TV on sale last week, we would be watching the Super Ball with him at home tomorrow. 

=> Adam did not buy the big screen TV on sale last week, and we will be watching the Super Ball at a sport bar instead.

(If-clause: Unreal situation in the past.  Main clause: Unreal situation in the future)

b. If Jim had studied harder, he would be attending Harvard this fall.  

=> However, Jim did not study harder; he will not be attending Harvard this fall.

(iii)  Present Unreal with Past Unreal

a. If I were you, I would have asked a raise before the boss went on vacation.

=> I am not you and so I did not ask a raise before the boss went on vacation.

(If-clause: Unreal situation in the present.  Main clause: Unreal situation in the past)

b. If I didn’t have to care for my dog, I would have been able to hop on the flight and go to Hawaii with you yesterday.  

=> I have to care for my dog, so I was unable to hop on the flight and go to Hawaii with you yesterday.

(iv)  Present Unreal with Future Unreal

a. If I didn’t have to care for my dog, I would be going to Hawaii with you tomorrow. 

=> I have to care for my dog, so I am not going to Hawaii with you tomorrow.

(If-clause: Unreal situation in the present.  Main clause: Unreal situation in the future)

b. If John were more extroverted, he would apply for a position as a salesman.

=> John is not extroverted and he will not apply for a position as a salesman.

(v)   Future Unreal with Past Unreal

a. If I my boyfriend weren’t coming over for dinner tonight, I would have gone shopping with Mary.

=> My boyfriend is coming over for dinner tonight, so I did not go shopping with Mary.

(If-clause: Unreal situation in the future.  Main clause: Unreal situation in the past)

b. If Mary weren’t going swimming tomorrow, she would have gone skiing this morning.

=> Mary is going swimming tomorrow and that was why she did not go skiing this morning.

 (vi)  Future Unreal with Present Unreal

a. If my boyfriend weren’t taking me to the concert tomorrow, I would be sad.

=> My boyfriend is taking me to the concert tomorrow, so I am not sad.

(If-clause: Unreal situation in the future.  Main clause: Unreal situation in the present)

b. If he were leaving for Paris the next day, he would pack his luggage now.

=> He is not leaving for Paris the next day, so he does not have to pack his luggage now.

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