The Third Conditional - variations

 RULE: the 3^rd conditional = If + past perfect + would/could & present perfect

e.g. If I had worked harder, I would have passed the exam.

1. Variation to the rule!

Sometimes 3^rd conditional = If + past perfect + would/could & present perfect cont

When? When you want to emphasize the period of time

Examples:

If there had been more chairs, I wouldn’t have been sitting on the floor!

If we had had more money, we would have been living in Sydney.

 

Note: you could stick to the basic rule.

e.g. If there had been more chairs, I wouldn’t have had to sit on the floor.

If we had had more money, we would have lived in Sydney.

 

3^rd conditional = If + past perfect continuous + would/could & present perfect

When ? When you want to emphasize the period of time.

If he had been wearing a seatbelt, he wouldn’t have been hurt.

If I had been living in Sydney, I would have gone to the meeting.

If I had been waiting all night, I would have been furious.

Note: You could stick to the basic rule.

e.g. If he had worn a seatbelt, he wouldn’t have been hurt.

If I had lived in Sydney, I would have gone to the meeting.

If I had waited all night, I would have been furious.

Special Note:

A basic grammar rule is this: I was You were

He was We were

She was They were

It was

However, when you use the Second Conditional you can write:

If I were….., If he were….., If she were….., If it were……

This makes the sentence more formal that using "was"

If I were rich, I would be very happy.

If I were you, I’d see a dentist.

If he were to resign, I would get his job.

If Jill were here, we would know what to do.

If it were fine, we could go for a walk.