Using the Third conditional tense in English

In this English lesson you will learn how we use the third conditional tense in English.

This tense is difficult for some learners of English because they confuse the tenses.

To understand the third conditional you need to know the structure.

if + past perfect, would have + past participle

Let’s have a look at some example sentences.

If I had known it was your birthday, I would have bought you a present.

So, I didn’t buy you a present because I didn’t know it was your birthday. I will write the date in my diary.

If I hadn’t known it was your birthday, I wouldn’t have bought you a present.

I did buy you a present because I knew it was your birthday.

If you had known it was my birthday, would you have bought me a present?

That is the question.

Could

If you had told me earlier, I could/might have got you a present.

Continuous

If I had not been wearing a seat belt, I would have died in the accident.

Here’s another grammar lesson for you to study.

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