Grammar: Mixing conditionals - BBC English Masterclass

Improve your English grammar with the BBC. You know how to use the first, second and third conditionals - but do you know how to mix them? Dan has a grammar lesson to show you how.
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Transcript:
Dan
Hi guys. Dan from BBC Learning English here. In this session we'll be looking at mixed conditionals. Now, I know that clever students like yourselves will know that English has three types of conditional sentences. First conditional is to talk about real, present or future situations, second conditional is to talk about hypothetical present or future situations and third conditional is to talk about hypothetical past situations. All three types of conditional are fantastic and all three types of conditional talk about events within their own time frame - present, future and past. But what about if you want to talk about an event that happened in the past - which affects the future? Can events in the present or the future affect the past?
Come over here and let's take a look. Here is a third conditional sentence:
If I had taken programming at school, I would have got a job at Google years ago.
Here we have a past hypothetical with a past consequence. Notice the formula: 'If' plus the past perfect here, 'would' plus have plus the past participle here. Now watch what happens as we change the consequence.
If I had taken programming at school, I would be working for Google.
Now we have a past hypothetical with a present consequence. This part here is from a second conditional. Its formula is 'would' plus the bare infinitive. This kind of makes sense in that decisions or actions in the past affect the present. But can we do the future? Well, let's have a look.
If I had taken programming at school, I would be attending the Google conference next week.
Yes we can. As you can see, the only difference between the present and the future is the time expression. The formula is exactly the same: 'would' plus the infinitive. Second conditional. Did you get it? Now let's see what happens if we try to make the second - which is the present - affect the past, which is a third.
If I were smarter, I would have invented something clever when I was younger.
It can. Now we have a present theory with a past result. This can be a little difficult to understand, until we realise that 'if I were smarter' is the same as saying 'I am not smart' - which is present simple. And remember that we use present simple for long term truth. When I say 'I am not smart', I mean: I am not smart now, in the future and in the past. It's the same as saying 'I am English' - past, present and future. So, this kind of conditional works very well with personal descriptions. And here are a couple of other examples.
If he were taller, he would have become a basketball player.
If they were in love, they would have got married 10 years ago.
If I were less interesting, I wouldn't have been asked to speak in public so many times.
Did you get it? Good. Let's try one more. Present to past. But a little bit more specific this time.
If I weren't flying on holiday next week, I would have accepted that new project at work.
Here we have a present second, although it's actually future, with a past third result. This means that the person couldn't accept the project at work because they knew that they would be flying in the future. OK guys, did you get it? Mixing conditionals isn't difficult to do, as long as you both have confidence and an understanding of the verb forms. It's much easier to do a third to second than it is to do a second to third, but both are possible. And finally, don't forget the importance of time words. OK? Alright.
Now, for more information have a look at bbclearningenglish.com. I've been Dan, you've been great. Have fun guys, see you next time.
#grammar #conditionals #learnenglish

[@bbclearningenglish]

If you're still unsure about mixing conditionals, Georgina is here to explain in just one minute! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWiXqqBnbt2Xj6c

[@arpitshukla2712]

“Clever students like you” I think this is most sarcastic line he says in every video of his 😸

[@ampmat]

If I hadn't made a decision to study English six years ago, it wouldn't be possible to watch videos like this and understand everything.

[@davidholler1]

The best explanation I've heard on the net. Great work Dan.

[@inneswiaty583]

There're actually 4 types of conditionals.... 0, 1, 2 & 3. But except that small mistake, your video is just brilliant. Helped me a lot in preparing a class :-) Thank you!

[@aussie-english-learning]

Actually, that depends on who you ask. Some consider the zero conditional, as a subtype of the first conditional, but other consider it as a separate conditional. Consider this: If you sit out in the sun, you get burnt. If you sit out in the sun, you will get burnt.

[@MuhammadEgypt]

The most important tip that needs to be considered is that languages were spoken before the rules were set. So, if it hadn't been for the spoken patterns that people used in their conversations, rules wouldn't have existed.

[@care4you483]

how.come?

[@rakeshdubey1587]

Hello Den, Congratulations 🏆 your this 7 years old video is still best among all

[@nasihaabdulla1231]

The part i love most is 'I've been dan, You've been great'. Love Dan

[@Ssotaibi]

Thanks Dan , your lecturing style is very wonderful.

[@TheProfessorpaulosan]

Impecável explicação ! - impeccable explanation

[@stevendavies417]

Very clear explanation. Thank you.

[@shroukshabara4987]

The best way ever to explain this rule. Thanks Dan!

[@user-rh5pv2tq4f]

Dan is the best grammar teacher ever!! thank you BBC learning English!!

[@drkhaldoonalhafidh6243]

Thank you Dan. You are a good teacher.

[@Abu-Aley]

For me, what makes it easy that it is almost the same pattern as in my language, Arabic. Thanks for such superb explanation Dan, Regards, Ahmad, ☺ 👍

[@user-oo2fh4yh1k]

so clear examples helping to understand easily.

[@engelsvooriedereen4946]

What a great way to help my students understand the mixed !! conditionals. Thanks

[@englishlearner1602]

Superb explanation 👌 I was very confused about these sentences for a long time. You have explained in a clear way. I got the point Thanks a million 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@romikim4548]

Thank you.

[@user-kz1di3wy5u]

Great job! And music for ears! Thanks!!!

[@thuydang852]

I always love Dan' teaching!

[@MrDepava]

Amazing explanation! Thanks Dan!

[@user-ef3tg1xi3z]

just a perfect explanation

[@Emanuel7793]

Thanks!

[@anamariacarrea4993]

It is so easy to understand conditionals sentences following Dan's explanations. Thanks a lot

[@hasanplabon4554]

You are great sir. Thank you

[@pavelk7085]

Dan is great

[@jojidelapena4614]

Love it. Thanks!

[@zenamahari7131]

Thanks so much

[@samkolun9279]

Great! Thanks for the explanation!

[@jessyjoseph6432]

Very clear explanation. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@rashidat23]

thank you

[@rash_game8226]

Thank you. It helped a lot

[@syedshabazhaidernaqvi5576]

Ty

[@mounireaddevil]

thanks Dan ! I really appreciate it !!

[@FrayMartinez]

You and Tim are my favorite teachers

[@daliyamadyarova8481]

it's very clear explanation!thanks )

[@bentehmeida2206]

Thanks for sharing. It is very useful.

[@englishwithneshe]

Such a nice video, thank you so much

[@AamnaIdrisi]

Impressed . Subscribed .

[@flaviustocila5630]

GOD, after this one and the other with "Conditionals in 90 min", i really got these things..thx a lot !!

[@user-oo2fh4yh1k]

the best explanation on the net i ve ever seen

[@daekyoung_jung]

Great!! Thanks

[@EnglishTeacherLloyd]

Great teacher and super explanation!

[@gayanalagalla372]

The best ever lesson on Missed Conditionals

[@fatemekaabianpoor8658]

Gooood job .I got it completely. Thank you very much

[@magnalaetitia2782]

"I've been Dan, you've been great" I loved that! >w

[@EnglishTeacherLloyd]

Dan is the man! Great lesson as always :)

[@mariamkinen8036]

Now I got my thinking all through. Thanks! If i were able to run i would be able to leave at any time.

[@gabrielaledezma3766]

Wonderful video. Finally I got it. Thank you

[@joto4587]

The best explanation ever! Other sources are rubbish! Thanks Dan

[@sv3955]

it has been very useful. thank you a lot!

[@alejandropaucar2254]

Nice teacher! Thanks for your explanation.

[@minhalbutt3575]

great work !!

[@harprasad4657]

explained very well , sir.Thanks

[@themodernshoe2466]

This channel is a beautiful thing

[@mohammedarfath7537]

Fabulous explanation totally exceptional

[@mansurakhanam3443]

Dan u r the best !!!

[@eso69]

👍REALLY GREAT

[@JasvirSingh-go2ph]

Best teacher..❤❤❤❤

[@MaksymMinenko]

2:29 Wow, that rephrasing trick helped me a lot, thank you!

[@mudengineer8988]

Dan you’re Brilliant! That made it even clearer and easier to form. Thanks a bunch!

[@bbclearningenglish]

Dan says 'thanks'!

[@untitledchannel234]

If I had studied English hard when I was school, I wouldn't watch this clip today. Thank you Dan.

[@robertstemper7691]

Great video :-) This helped me a lot! Thanks

[@ericip778]

I try to be great. Thanks for excellent lesson.

[@shadowhunter921]

Wow, you're the best! I finally understand what mixed conditionals are about. Thank you so much!!

[@bbclearningenglish]

Happy to help! 🥰

[@quanli3552]

Finally, i understand it!

[@syedalimhaidernaqvi3899]

Great explanation! Keep it up👌

[@user-tv9gk8df1u]

finaly, i got it Thanks a lot

[@liennguyen-hw7ky]

Great video! Thank you.

[@bbclearningenglish]

You're welcome, lien nguyen. We are glad you like our video. Visit our website for more videos, guides and quizzes to help you improve your English: www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/

[@Gab0000]

It's rather tricky indeed, but with hard work, we may get there!

[@fatemekaabianpoor8658]

I wanted to like your video the realized that I've done it before. So Like a thousand time👍 and thank you🙏

[@ilariazacconi8038]

If I knew English like Dan, I wouldn't have had to watch this video, 'cause I would have already mastered the use of conditionals 😉 hope this makes sense!

[@jhanncarlo3579]

nice

[@jamesn1243]

Wonderful teacher!

[@bbclearningenglish]

Thank you, James. We are glad you like Dan's class. You might like to watch more of his videos. Check these out: kzbin.info/aero/PLcetZ6gSk968nUdj5-kLphOTmo5dt9t2E

[@watermelon8542]

if I weren't sitting my English exam next month, I'd have missed out this video and this channel

[@marisamazzoli2126]

You are an excellent teacher.

[@marisamazzoli2126]

I do agree with you

[@t-oneinternational8576]

Thanks for the clear explenation!

[@bhawnamatani6636]

You made my day

[@bbclearningenglish]

Hi Bhawna Matani, Thank you for your comment. We are glad you find our video useful.

[@soubhagyaranjan1391]

thnx prof.

[@bbclearningenglish]

You're welcome, soubhagya ranjan. ☺️

[@vanesarojas2943]

Great examples!! If i hadn't seen these helpful videos i would be lost about mixed conditionals

[@bbclearningenglish]

Thanks! It certainly seems you have a good understanding. Your example is great (but don't forget the comma between clauses! If i hadn't seen these helpful videos, i would be lost about mixed conditionals.)

[@vanesarojas2943]

@@bbclearningenglish ohh, you are right. I had forgotten. Thanks Bbc . Kisses

[@josepontes7701]

Many thanks for the video on mixed conditionals! :)

[@yamiherrera2566]

That "would have GOT" thing is driving me nuts… I was told that the past participle is "GOTTEN", I no longer trust my knowledge. *runs off into the night

[@user-hr9ux9ft1j]

Third form of "get" could be "gotten" (American English) and "got" (British English)

[@xenialyss]

Yeah, girl, please don't run off. You can do both. I use "gotten" all the time :-)

[@marcinlewandowski9334]

In America it's gotten, the British still use got

[@khaleddawoud363]

Why Michael Scofield stopped breaking of jails and begin teaching English. Thank you Dan

[@jasminenubile8223]

Super cool and interesting, can i use some pasrts of your video in my video. I would definetly make a link on yours?

[@Arifauto]

Complicated

[@hoangkimviet8545]

What I learnt from this video: - adjective: Hypothetical

[@niccolowadia3761]

PL. give some examples of th MIX Conditionals !!!

[@Skoshtwo]

Despite the immaculate explanation on your end, I am still struggling to grasp the concept of mixed conditionals throughout exercises because my brain is hard wired with the four basic ones and it's almost as if it autocompletes the sentences unattendedly. Teaching this is an intrinsic headache inducer in and of itself.

[@syedmdabid7191]

The 4 th conditional: example-If he come today, you should pay some money. But the mixed conditional is quite different matter, both clauses are in distinct time etc.

[@heinlinhtun1859]

This one is a little bit trickier than what I expected. I still need to work on those conditionals.

[@arielcurra7647]

My son watched this video without subtitles and he understood everything.

[@bounty1402]

so did I

[@0741117264]

i have some questions. this sentence :if i hadn't ALREADY had plans for next weekend i would have accepted your proposal to go to a mountain resort. - is it correct? - does already require had +v3 or is it possible to formulate: if i didn't already have plans for next weekend i would have accepted your proposal to go to a mountain resort ? - or shouldi just skip the "already" and keep a simple mixed conditional sentence: if i didn't have plans for next weekend i would have accepted your proposal to go to a mountain resort?

[@bbclearningenglish]

Hi Roxana Manda! What a tricky question! I would say that you could say all three of those formulations! But the first one would sound better with the verb 'make' instead: If I hadn't already made plans for next weekend, I would have accepted your proposal to go to a mountain resort.

[@gelox32]

I wonder how often do you use that stuff in a daily basis.

[@harveysp5899]

❤

[@syfa7615]

If i had studied a little bit harder, i would be treating my patients in a hospital. if i had finished my project on time, i would be flying to UK next month. If he were clever, that company would have hired him five years ago. If she weren't smart, she wouldn't have completed her degree. If i weren't planning to quit this job next year, i would have accepted that project.

[@Sailendranath_Thakur]

Please make a video about how to understand poetry.

[@bbclearningenglish]

Hi Sailendranath Thakur. Poems are a great way to test your English skills! Dan and Kee show you how to write a simple one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYKaaol8nKmlbrM

[@alelamanna8084]

thank for explaining meaning beyond Types of conditionals. Great Lesson . Alejandro from Argentina!

[@selina2647]

I wonder what's the different between third and mixed conditional.The principle are totally the same!!How we can use this two condition in the content,or while we are using is there some difference

[@thefasterhermes2711]

i can't undesterstand the last sentence very well