For the third conditional

Question

In Movies and animations, I could easily find you using third conditional.

[Q1] Could you tell me which is more often used in your real life between the third conditional or the second conditional?
I could seldom see you use the second conditional in movies and animation. I feel you there use only the third conditional.

[Q2] Sometimes I feel English man use "must have P.P" the same as that of the third conditional.
For instant,

eg) If I had studied harder, I would have pass the exam.
1) I could have pass the exam.
2) I might have pass the exam.
3) I may have pass the exam.
4) I must have pass the exam.
5) I should have pass the exam.

Can I use any one of every sentence above instead of saying " I would have pass the exam"?

Thank you in advance for your teaching.

Philip · Accepted Answer

The following are correct possibilities: If I had studied harder...
...I would have passed the exam.
...I could have passed the exam.
...I might have passed the exam.
I would not use any of the others!

Fivejedjon · Answer

Son JamesIn Movies and animations, I could easily find you using third conditional.

I really do not see any difference between life and films/cartoons in tense usage. It is situations which dictate what tense is used, whether it's a real-life or a filmed situation.

Son James Could you tell me which is more often used in your real life between the third conditional or the second conditional?

I have no idea. As they are not interchangeable, does it matter?

Son James Sometimes I feel English man use "must have P.P" the same as that of the third conditional.

'must have' + third form (past participle) generally suggests a present logical deduction about a past happening:

I saw George asleep on his doorstep last night; he must have lost his keys.

Son James · Answer

Thank you for your teaching,Mr.Philip<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' alt='Emotion: embarrassed'/>

Son James · Answer

Thanks to your answers, I feel I need to study for the third conditional and then ask you for it again. Thank you for your teaching,Fivejedjon<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' alt='Emotion: embarrassed'/>.

CalifJim · Answer

Son JamesCould you tell me which is more often used

I can only guess, but I think the third conditional is used more than the second conditional, both in 'real life' and in movies.

Son Jamesuse "must have P.P" the same as that of the third conditional

The grammar-book definitions of conditionals usually restrict their examples to those which contain 'would' and 'would have', but the substitution of other modal verbs is also possible, usually 'could (have)' or 'might (have)'. The sentences with such substitutions are just minor variants of the canonical conditionals.

If I met him, I [would / could / might] speak to him.
If I had seen that car earlier, I [would / could / might] have avoided the accident.

must have usually works a little differently. I would not include it as a common substitute in a conditional pattern.

CJ

Son James · Answer

Sometimes when watching movies, I thought they should use the second conditional, I've seen they use the third conditional. I mean they were under the situation it is okay either they use the second conditional or the third conditional. Sometimes I feel the same way for "must have P.P" and "might have P.P". Now I feel after studying more, I will ask you for it once again. "The third conditional is more used" and " Must have usually works a little differently", your answers is big helpful for me. Thank you for your answer,Mr.CJ

.

CalifJim · Answer

Son JamesI thought they should use the second conditional, I've seen they use the third conditional.

It might be well to keep the following principles in mind.

The second conditional has an if-clause that imagines things as they could be at the time of speaking. These are current theoretical possibilities.

The third conditional has an if-clause that imagines a past that is completely different from what really happened in the past.

CJ

Son James · Answer

Thank you so much for your teaching,Mr.Calif Jim.

For the third conditional

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions