Free Intermediate English Course - CEFR B2 - Lesson 23 of 25

Intermediate English Grammar (B2)

Third Conditional

Watch four videos using the third conditional in conversation.

Script
Grammar
Quiz

Conversation 1

Man: What did you do last night?
Woman: I saw the new James Bond movie.
Man: Oh, I love 007.
Woman: Oh really? If I had known that, I would've asked you to come.
Man: That's all right. Maybe next time.
Woman: Well, you're really going to love this movie. Especially.
Man: Wait, wait. Don't spoil it. I'm seeing it tonight.

Conversation 2

Man: Hey, you're back in town. I thought you were in New York.
Woman: I was, but I came home early.
Man: Oh, when did you get in?
Woman: Last night at midnight. Getting a taxi home was a nightmare.
Man: Well, if you had told me I would've picked you up.
Woman: No worries. The traffic was so bad. If you had, you would've regretted it.

Conversation 3

Man: How did you do on the test?
Woman: Not good. I failed. I was so close to passing too.
Man: Oh no. I'm sorry to hear that.
Woman: Yeah. If I had just answered one more question correctly, I would've passed.
Man: Well, I hate to say it, but if you had studied, you also might've passed
Woman: Sad, but true

Conversation 4

Woman: So how was your job interview?
Man: Not good. I think I bombed it.
Woman: Oh, I'm sure it was fine.
Man: No, really? I was late and I could not answer any questions. Well, I kept fumbling for words.
Woman: Well, if they weren't interested in you, they wouldn't have interviewed you.
Man: Maybe. But if I had done better today, I am sure they would've liked me a lot more.
Woman: Maybe. But you never know.

Third Conditional

Point 1: We construct the third conditional using "if" + past perfect (had + past participle).

If I had studied more in school, I would have gotten better grades.
If we had left earlier, we would have caught the train.
If she had known the truth, she wouldn't have believed him.
If I had stayed home, I would not have gotten in trouble.

Point 2: The third conditional is employed to express outcomes that are beyond our control or have already occurred, thus cannot be changed.

If I were you, I would have said something.
If we had won the match, I would have been ecstatic.
If they had invited us, we would have attended the party.
If she was upset, she would have said something.

Point 3: The third conditional clause can go before or after the main clause.

I would have said something if I were you.
I would have been ecstatic if we had won the match,
We would have attended the party if they had invited us.
She would have said something if she was upset.

Point 4: The modal "would" is contracted and barely heard in spoken English.

I'd have said something if I were you.
I'd have been ecstatic if we had won the match,
We'd have attended the party if they had invited us.
She'd have said something if she was upset.

Answer these questions about the interview.

More Grammar Conversations for Intermediate Students (B1)

Grammar Listening Practice

B2-21 Reported Speech
She said that she wanted to visit Europe.

B2-22 Past Conditional
I wish I had not eaten the pizza.

B2-23 Third Conditional
I would have been very upset if I were you.

B2-24 Had I known
Had I known you were in town, I would have called you.

B2-25 Had Better
You had better slow down!

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