The document discusses the third conditional, which is used to talk about impossible past situations. It provides examples of third conditional sentences using the structure "if + past perfect, would/could/might + have + past participle." It also notes common errors in third conditional formation and shows how to reverse the order of the clauses. Finally, it mentions that other modal verbs besides "would" can be used and provides a link for exercises to practice this grammar structure.

1. Conditionals (3)
The third Conditional

2. The third conditional
oWe use the third conditional for things that are
impossible.
o If Michael Jackson hadn’t died he would have sung with Lady Gaga.
Past perfect would + have+PARTICIPLE

3. Three common errors:
1. he would has given
(have is an infinitive in these sentences)
2. he would have gave
(participle, not past tense!)
3. if he would had given
(if never goes with would)

4. Guess what! We can also turn
this sentences around:
o If Michael Jackson hadn’t died, he would have sung with Lady Gaga.
o Past perfect would + have+past
participle
o Michael Jackson would have sung with Lady Gaga if he hadn’t died.

5. Other examples
oNegatives:
oIf he hadn’t met Angelina, he wouldn’t have left his wife
oIf she had liked Chicago, she wouldn’t have moved to Seville.
oIf Kathy hadn’t liked cycling, she would have picked aerobics.
oQuestions
oWhat would you have done if you had been in my situation?
oIf you had been in my situation, what would you have done?
(notice the IF clause is in AFFIRMATIVE)

6. VARIATIONS
oYou can use other modals instead of would:
oIf Julia had found Miguel at the party, he could
have driven her home in his car.
oShe might have visited Peter if he had been
in Berlin at that time.

7. Practice
oFor exercises, go to
http://www.agendaweb.org/verbs/condition
al.html
oCouldn’t find any songs this
time… if you or I find any, I’ll
change this presentation for
you! (and that’s a first conditional ☺)