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Dileepa Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

Third conditional without "if + had"

I found the following sentence in a movie. They talk about a past hypothetical result of a past hypothetical action. I guess, they should have used third conditional instead of mixed-conditional. Therefore, I would really appreciate it if someone could let me know why they haven't used third conditionals.


What would you have done if he took your old guitar?

  

Top answer

In grammar lessons you learn all the strictest and most formal rules. In everyday life people don't always pay attention to all that. In the case of third conditionals, the pattern you see here is quite common.

  • In grammar lessons you learn all the strictest and most formal rules.
  • In everyday life people don't always pay attention to all that.
  • In the case of third conditionals, the pattern you see here is quite common.
  • We substitute the simple past for the the past perfect in the if-clause.
  • We call it a mixed conditional, but there is nothing mixed about the intent.
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1 Answers
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In grammar lessons you learn all the strictest and most formal rules. In everyday life people don't always pay attention to all that. In the case of third conditionals, the pattern you see here is quite common. We substitute the simple past for the the past perfect in the if-clause.

We call it a mixed conditional, but there is nothing mixed about the intent. It is intended to be unde

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