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Mixed conditionals
Mixed real conditionals
In factual conditionals, we usually use the same tense in both clauses (1), but we sometimes use a mixture of past and present tenses in the clauses (2).
1 // it snowed heavily, we didn't go to school. • // she works late, I wait for her.
2 If you saw the film, you know how it ends. • // they don't understand what to do, they probably weren't listening earlier.
Some factual conditionals are used to describe habits in the past with would (V/). It has the same meaning as used to. It makes the sentence look like a hypothetical conditional, but it isn't.
3 When we were kids, if it rained a lot, we'd stay indoors. But if it was sunny, we'd often go down to the lake.
In predictive conditionals, we usually use the present simple in the if-clause (4), but we can also use the past simple (5) or present perfect (6) .
4 If we don't eat now, we'll get hungry later during the concert.
5 If you studied for the test, you won't have any problems.
6 If they've finished already, we'll give them something else to do.
When we use predictive conditionals to express a preference, we can include would with verbs of 'liking' or not liking' in the main clause (7). We can also use would rather plus the base form of a verb when we express a preference between alternatives which have been suggested (8).
7 If it isn't too late, we'd like to watch the news on TV.
8 If it's OK with you, I'd rather stay here. (You suggested going somewhere else.)
Mixed unreal conditionals
In hypothetical conditionals, instead of connecting an imaginär)' event to a possible present or future event using would (9), we can connect it to a possible past event with would have (10).
9 If we were rich, we would offer to help those poor people who are suffering.
10 If we were rich, we would have offered to help those poor people who were suffering.
In counterfactual conditionals, instead of connecting an imaginary past event to another past event using would have (11), we can connect it to a present event or situation using would (12).
11 If your parents hadn't met, you wouldn't have been born.
12 If your parents hadn't met, you wouldn't be sitting here now.
9 Add he or he'd and the following words to this extract from the poem The Rum Turn Tugger by T. S. Eliot.
chase    have    prefer    rather wants The Rum Turn Tugger is a Curious Cat.
If you offer him pheasant, U)..........would...........have grouse.
If you put him in a house, (2)...........would much...........a flat,
If you put him in a flat, then (3)...........rather...........a house.
If you set him on a mouse, then (4)...........only...........a rat,
If you set him on a rat, then (5)...........rather...........a mouse.
Yes, the Rum Turn Tugger is a Curious Cat.
I 9 1 he... rather     2 he ...prefer
fmm^7   3hed•■•hjve 4i,e■••w;,nu
I r 5 he'd .. chase
188
Real conditionals 185 Unreal conditionals 1S6   Would tor habitual actions in the past 33