Grammar Practice Worksheets

Third Conditional
Table of Contents
2 Grammar Notes 14 Exercise 10
Third Conditional Now You Tell Me!

5 Exercise 1 15 Exercise 11
Multiple-Choice Wish

6 Exercise 2 16 Exercise 12
Fill in the Blanks The Great Conditional Challenge

7 Exercise 3 17 Exercise 13
Matching Mixed Conditionals

7 Exercise 4 18 Exercise 14
Complete the Sentences Find Your Match

8 Exercise 5 19 Exercise 15
Conditional Sentences Quiz: First, Second & Third Conditional

9 Exercise 6 20 Answer Key

Past Regrets
24 Extra Practice I
10 Exercise 7 Sentence Strips
Comprehension
25 Extra Practice II
11 Exercise 8 Conditional Comparison Chart
What Would You Have Done?

13 Exercise 9
Survey

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Grammar Notes
THIRD CONDITIONAL

A. Introduction to Conditionals

Conditionals are used to express a hypothetical situation. This is when you

don’t know if something will happen or not, so you make a guess about
what the result might be. There are four conditional patterns in the English
language, and they usually involve an “if” clause. This lesson will focus
on the third conditional, also known as the past conditional.

B. The Third Conditional

Pattern: If + had + p.p., would + have + p.p.

Use: The third conditional expresses a past regret

Form
or shows a different outcome that would have Need help remembering the third conditional pattern?
happened if a certain condition had been met. Think of it like this:

The verb in the if clause is a past perfect verb (had +

the past participle form of the verb), while the verb
in the main clause follows the past modal pattern
(modal + have + the past participle form of the verb).

Examples

Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation

• If I had arrived on time, no one

would have stared at me as I walked in. I was late
not arriving people
and everyone stared
• No one would have stared at me on time staring at me
at me as I walked in.
as I walked in if I had arrived on time.

• If you had brought your jacket, you

would not have been so cold last night. You were cold
not bringing
being cold because you didn’t
• You would not have been so cold last a jacket
bring a jacket.
night if you had brought your jacket.

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Grammar Notes cont.

B. The Third Conditional cont.

Examples cont.

Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation

• If they had not missed the bus, they

would have gotten* to work on time. They missed the
missing not arriving at
bus and were late
• They would have gotten to work the bus work on time
for work.
on time if they had not missed the bus.

• If Andrew had not broken his leg,

he would not have missed the dance. He missed the dance
missing
breaking a leg because he broke
• Andrew would not have missed the dance the dance
his leg.
if he had not broken his leg.

• If I’d remembered your birthday,

I would’ve bought** you a present. I didn’t buy you a
forgetting not buying
present because I
• I would’ve bought you a present a birthday a present
forgot your birthday.
if I’d remembered your birthday.

• If Maya hadn’t caught a cold,

she would’ve come over after school. She didn’t come
catching not
over because she
• Maya would’ve come over after school a cold coming over
was sick.
if she hadn’t caught a cold.

*Note 1 **Note 2
Some verbs have more than one acceptable past How many contractions are possible at one time?
participle form. For example, the past participle of In general, one contraction is fine for both speaking
get can be gotten or got. Gotten is more common in and writing, but a double contraction is not used in
North America and got is more common in the UK. writing or formal speaking (though it is sometimes
used in informal speaking). Also note that would’ve
sounds like would of, but would of is never correct!

� I would’ve bought
� I’d have bought
� I’d’ve bought (use in informal speaking only)
� I would of bought (never use)

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Grammar Notes cont.

B. The Third Conditional cont.

Tip #1 Tip #4
A sentence can begin with either the if clause or the In the main clause, would can contract to ‘d with
main clause with no change in meaning. Remember subjects that are pronouns. Also, would have can
that a sentence that begins with an if clause is contract to would’ve and would not can contract to
followed by a comma. wouldn’t with any subject. Likewise, in the if clause,
had can contract to ‘d with subjects that are pronouns
• If they had prepared for their presentation,
and had not can contract to hadn’t with any subject.
they wouldn’t have received such a bad score.
• If she hadn’t left her keys in the car,
•  hey wouldn’t have received such a bad score
T
she’d have been on time to pick me up.
if they had prepared for their presentation.
• I wouldn’t have had to cancel our
plans if my son hadn’t gotten sick.
Tip #2 • I would’ve gotten the invite on time
if I’d answered the phone.
Because the third conditional is often used to
express regrets, negative verbs are common • If we hadn’t stopped for gas,
in the main clause. we would’ve beaten the train.
• If I had been on time more often,
I wouldn’t have been fired.
Tip #5
• If my neighbor had lent me his lawn mower,
I wouldn’t have had to buy one. Could or might can replace would in the main clause
to indicate possibility. For contractions, could’ve is
• I would never have been able to go to
common but might’ve is not.
your party if you hadn’t spoken to my parents.
• They could/might have made it to my party
if they had stopped to ask for directions.
Tip #3  • If I’d finished reading the book,
I could’ve helped you write your book report.
When speaking quickly, would have sounds like
woulda. Note we can only say (and never write)
woulda. Listen to the recording and repeat the
following sentences: Tip #6
• If I hadn’t bought insurance, It is possible to combine tenses within the same
I would have been in trouble. sentence if the situation calls for it. For example,
a past regret in the if clause can affect something
• I would have gone to the party
in the present.
if I had been invited.
• If he hadn’t forgotten to call me last night,
• If she had received your email,
I wouldn’t be so angry today.
she would have replied.
• You would feel better about the present situation
if you had heard about it from her last week.

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Exercise 1
MULTIPLE-CHOICE

Circle the best answer.

Ex. If Marty had gone to the party, I too. 6. I would have been very
disappointed if you with us.
a) went
b) would have gone a) hadn’t came
c) had gone b) wouldn’t have came
c) hadn’t come
1. If you me the money,
I wouldn’t have bought the ticket. 7. If Mya in such a hurry,
she wouldn’t have driven through a red light.
a) didn’t lend
b) hadn’t lended a) wasn’t
c) hadn’t lent b) hadn’t been
c) wouldn’t be
2. I wouldn’t have stayed at
that hotel if you it to me. 8. If Jin hadn’t applied for the job when he did,
he able to work there.
a) hadn’t recommended
b) don’t recommend a) wouldn’t have be
c) didn’t recommend b) wouldn’t have been
c) wouldn’t had be
3. She would have been hurt in the
car accident if she her seat belt. 9. Zara would have called me back
if her phone .
a) wouldn’t worn
b) didn’t wore a) hadn’t died
c) hadn’t worn b) haven’t died
c) wouldn’t have died
4. If you me, I would have helped you.
10. They a nice night if it hadn’t rained.
a) had asked
b) asked a) would had have
c) ask b) would have have
c) would have had
5. If I hadn’t taken my umbrella, I very wet.

a) would have get

b) would had got
c) would have gotten

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Exercise 2
FILL IN THE BLANKS

Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verbs provided.

Ex. Monique failed her history test, but if she had studied harder, she would have passed .
(study) (pass)

1. Kevin caught the bus on time, but if he it,

(miss)

he late for his appointment.

(be)

2. Juan didn’t write to me when he was on vacation, but if he my address,

(know)

he me a postcard.
(send)

3. We didn’t buy the car because it was too expensive, but we it

(buy)

if it a little cheaper .
(be)

4. They didn’t go to her party, but if she them, they .

(invite) (go)

5. I didn’t know that Lee was in the hospital last week.

If I ,I him.
(know) (visit)

6. It was cold earlier, but we to the beach if it warmer.

(go) (be)

7. I felt a little sick last night. I to the movies if I better.

(go) (feel)

8. Hiroku didn’t understand the homework. If he to the teacher’s instructions,

(listen)

he what to do.
(know)

9. I’m sorry I was late. I forgot to set my alarm clock last night. I
(get)

to the meeting on time if the alarm clock .

(ring)

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Exercise 3
MATCHING

Match the first part of the sentence on the left with the best
ending on the right. Each choice can only be used once.

d 1. I would have said hello... a) if I hadn’t looked at my calendar.

2. I would have mailed the letter... b) if the roads hadn’t been so slippery.
3. If I had seen the accident, ... c) if I had known the baby was sleeping.
4. If I had planned a trip to France, ... d) if I had seen you.
5. I would have forgotten your birthday... e) I would have gone swimming.
6. The accident wouldn’t have happened... f) if I had had some stamps.
7. I would have cleaned my apartment... g) if I hadn’t washed it in hot water.
8. If I had brought my bathing suit, ... h) I would have tried to learn some French.
9. My sweater wouldn’t have shrunk... i) if I had known they were coming.
10. I would have been much quieter... j) I would have called an ambulance.

Exercise 4
COMPLETE THE SENTENCES

Complete the following sentences using your own words.

Use contractions whenever possible.

Ex. I would’ve lent you some money if I hadn’t just paid my rent.

1. The boss would’ve fired her if

2. If I’d known it was going to rain,

3. If she hadn’t missed so many classes,

4. If yesterday had been a holiday,

5. I wouldn’t have missed the bus if

6. I would’ve had a party if

7. I’d have called you if

8. If I’d woken up earlier,

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Exercise 5
CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

Write a sentence using the third conditional for each of the following situations.

Ex. They didn’t arrive on time because they took the wrong road.

If they had taken the right road, they would have arrived on time.

1. Dario didn’t get the job because he didn’t have much experience.

2. Elena didn’t pass her driver’s test because she didn’t stop at the red light.

3. Aiko didn’t buy the dress because it didn’t fit.

4. The Smiths didn’t go to Hawaii because the airplane tickets were too expensive.

5. I got a parking ticket because I forgot to put money in the parking meter.

6. The cake burned because she didn’t set the timer.

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Exercise 5 cont.
7. She didn’t take an umbrella because she didn’t know it was supposed to rain.

8. Christina didn’t eat lunch because she wasn’t hungry.

9. We didn’t go skiing last weekend because there wasn’t much snow on the mountain.

10. I couldn’t make lasagna for dinner last night because I forgot to buy the noodles.

Exercise 6
PAST REGRETS

Do you have any regrets? Find a partner and discuss a few things
you wish you had done differently in your life. Use the third conditional.

Example
A: I began studying English when I was 25 years old. If I’d started
learning English when I was a child, I would’ve been fluent by now.

B: I know what you mean! I didn’t take any English classes until high
school. If I’d started in elementary school, it would’ve been much
easier to learn English.

A: Yep. So what other regrets do you have?

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Exercise 7
COMPREHENSION

Read the conditional sentences below and

answer the questions that follow each one.

Ex. If it hadn’t rained yesterday, 6. If the bus had been on time,

we would have had a picnic. we wouldn’t have missed our appointment.

Yes a) Did it rain yesterday? a) Was the bus on time?

No b) Did we have a picnic? b) Did we miss our appointment?

1. If you had come to the party, 7. If I had had a lot of homework last night,
you would have met my cousin. I wouldn’t have gone to the movies.

a) Did you come to the party? a) Did I have a lot of homework last night?
b) Did you meet my cousin? b) Did I go to the movies last night?

2. I wouldn’t have watched the movie 8. Ali would have known about the accident
if I had known it was scary. if he’d read the paper yesterday.

a) Did I watch the movie? a) Did Ali know about the accident?
b) Was it scary? b) Did Ali read the newspaper yesterday?
c) Do I like scary movies?
9. If I had heard about the new position before the
3. If I’d known he was a careless driver, application deadline, I would’ve applied for it.
I wouldn’t have lent him my car.
a) Did I hear about the job in time to apply?
a) Is he a careless driver? b) Did I apply for the job?
b) Did I lend him my car? c) Did I get the job?

4. If Professor Neville had taught the 10. You wouldn’t have had to rewrite your essay
history course, I would’ve taken it. if you hadn’t copied it straight from that website.

a) Did Professor Neville teach the course? a) Did you copy your essay from a website?
b) Did I take the history course? b) Did you have to rewrite your essay?
c) Did you get caught cheating?
5. Marie wouldn’t have married Rob
if she hadn’t been in love with him.

a) Did Marie marry Rob?

b) Was Marie in love with Rob?

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Exercise 8
WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?

Read the situations below. Choose if you would or wouldn’t have done the
same thing and write out your explanation using the third conditional.

Example #1 Example #2
Mark saw a woman drowning in the lake. Mark saw a woman drowning in the lake.
He went to look for help. He went to look for help.

I wouldn’t have done that. If I had seen a woman I would have done that too. I’m not a strong swimmer,
drowning, I would have called 911 on my cell phone so if I’d seen a woman drowning, I would’ve tried
and then jumped into the water to try to save her. to find someone nearby who could swim. But first
I would have let her know I was going to get help.

1. Adele saw her friend cheating on a test. She told the teacher.

2. Jung’s neighbors were very noisy, so he moved to a new apartment. The move was very expensive.

3. Kayla went to a new restaurant. She didn’t like her meal, so she didn’t leave a tip.

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Exercise 8 cont.
4. Juliana’s car broke down on the way to work, so she hitchhiked the rest of the way.

5. When Sam saw a black bear in the woods, he started to scream.

6. When Fatima heard someone breaking into her house last night, she hid under the bed.

7. Shen found a wallet with $1,000 in it. He kept the money.

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Exercise 9
SURVEY

Ask your classmates what they would have done in each situation from Exercise 8.
Complete the chart with answers in point form. Practice saying woulda (but don’t write it).

# Situation Classmate #1 Classmate #2 Classmate #3

1 cheating friend

2 noisy neighbors

3 bad meal

4 car trouble

5 black bear

6 burglar

7 wallet

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Exercise 10
NOW YOU TELL ME!

With a partner, take turns reading out the situations below and offering
advice using the third conditional. End each one with “Now you tell me!”*
Practice saying woulda instead of would have when you can.

Example *Note
A: I lost my job because I was We use the expression “Now you tell me!” (with
late for work three times. emphasis on “Now”) when we want to show that
hearing the advice sooner would have helped (to
B: I f you had set your alarm to go off 15 minutes
prevent a negative outcome from happening).
earlier, you woulda made it to work on time.

A: Now you tell me!

1. I had to go to the dentist to get three fillings.

2. Our dog got sick right before our vacation. We lost $3,000 because we had to cancel the trip.

3. I hurt my back moving some heavy furniture.

4. I didn’t pay attention in class and didn’t know about the test.

5. I accidentally woke the baby up when I came home from work.

6. I didn’t get the job.

7. I got lost yesterday.

8. It didn’t rain when we went away and all of our flowers died.

9. My mother-in-law isn’t talking to me because she wasn’t invited for Thanksgiving dinner.

10. I failed my test.

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Exercise 11
WISH

Read the wishes below and write a third conditional sentence related to each one.

Ex. I wish I had known about her accident.

If I had known about her accident, I would have sent her some flowers.

1. I wish I had learned to speak several languages when I was young.

2. She wishes she had never met him.

3. They wish they had visited Paris when they were in Europe.

4. He wishes he had applied for that government job.

5. I wish I hadn’t seen that horror movie.

6. I wish I hadn’t drunk so much coffee last night.

7. I wish I had taken my camera on our camping trip.

8. I wish it had been warmer yesterday.

9. I wish I had read the instructions more carefully.

10. I wish I hadn’t yelled at the children.

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Exercise 12
THE GREAT CONDITIONAL CHALLENGE

Work in groups. Read the three if clauses below.

Choose one of the three clauses and then try
to make as many third conditional sentences Example:
as possible that follow from the if clause you have If I had studied harder when I was in high school...
chosen. The group with the most conditional If I had studied harder when I was in high school,
sentences wins the challenge. I would have gotten better grades. If I had gotten
better grades, I would have gone to a better
“If” Clauses university. If I had gone to a better university,
I would have applied to medical school. If I had
gone to medical school, I would have become a
1. If I had learned English as a child...
doctor. If I had become a doctor, I would have
2. If I had won the million-dollar lottery five years ago... gone to Africa and helped a lot of people. If I
had gone to Africa and helped a lot of people, ...
3. If I had been alive in the 19th century...

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Exercise 13
MIXED CONDITIONALS

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verbs
provided. Check for time markers and the tenses of other verbs in context
to help you decide if you need the first, second, or third conditional.

Ex. If it rains next Saturday, I will stay home.

(stay)

1. I to the movies with you last week if I sick.

(go) (not/be)

2. If I were you, I her the truth.

(tell)

3. That was a very bad accident. If he more careful, it wouldn’t have happened.
(be)

4. That new restaurant is terrible! If I you,

(be)

I your reservation. You should go somewhere else.

(cancel)

5. It’s raining now, but if it sunny, I for a long walk.

(be) (go)

6. It rained all day yesterday, but if it sunny,

(be)

I for a long walk. Instead, I stayed inside and read all day.
(go)

7. I just remembered that you are coming home tomorrow night. I

(pick)

you up at the airport if you what time your flight arrives.

(tell)

8. I didn’t finish the report yesterday. If I at the office late last night,
(stay)

I probably it. I’ll have to do it today.

(finish)

9. I have to go to the store tomorrow. If you me what you need,

(tell)

I your groceries too. Then you won’t have to go out.

(get)

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Exercise 13 cont.
10. You are such a good worker. If I were you, I the boss for a raise.
(ask)

11. I don’t know Rashid’s telephone number, but if I it, I would call him right now.
(know)

12. I wasn’t at school yesterday, so I didn’t know about the homework. If I there,
(be)

I about it and I it last night.

(know) (do)

13. The forecast is calling for rain. If it tomorrow,

(rain)

we the game and reschedule it for next week.

(cancel)

14. I you if I
(call) (know)

that you were going through such a hard time. Why didn’t you tell me?

15. If she taller, she

(be) (try out)

for the basketball team. Tryouts start next week.

Exercise 14 Hint
FIND YOUR MATCH Use the verb tense in your
clause to help you decide if it is
Your teacher will give you a strip of paper that has an if clause or a part of a first, second, or third
conditional sentence. When you
main clause on it. Walk around the classroom telling your classmates
listen to your classmates read
your half of the sentence. When you find your match, check your out their clauses, pay attention
complete sentence with your teacher. If it’s correct, sit down. to the verb tense as well as the
meaning of the clause.

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Exercise 15
QUIZ

Complete this review of the first, second,

and third conditional. Circle the best answer.

1. If the tickets hadn’t been sold out, 6. If we attention in class,

I to the hockey game. we won’t do well on the final exam.

a) will go a) don’t pay

b) would go b) won’t pay
c) would have gone c) hadn’t paid

2. She would study if there a test tomorrow. 7. He a new house

if he’d known about the layoffs.
a) is
b) were a) won’t buy
c) had been b) wouldn’t buy
c) wouldn’t have bought
3. I shopping with you if I had any money.
8. They will go to the lake next weekend
a) will go
if the weather nice.
b) would go
c) would have gone a) is
b) will be
4. The boss would have been angry c) had been
if Mark his report on time.
9. If Rina got the job, she .
a) won’t finish
b) wouldn’t finish a) will celebrate
c) hadn’t finished b) would celebrate
c) would have celebrated
5. If Sylvia had been able to play in the game
last night, we probably . 10. I that if I were you. It’s expired.

a) will win a) won’t eat

b) would win b) wouldn’t eat
c) would have won c) wouldn’t have eaten

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Answer Key
LESSON DESCRIPTION: LEVEL: Int – High Int

Students learn and practice the third conditional through various TIME: 3–4 hours
writing and speaking activities. They discuss past regrets and
TAGS: 
conditional, third conditional, past conditional, mood,
talk and write about what they would have done differently.
hypothetical, if, would, past, verbs, first conditional,
This lesson also includes a mixed review of the first, second,
second conditional, wish, mixed verbs, mixed tenses,
and third conditionals.
sentence patterns, grammar

Exercise 1 Exercise 4

1. c 3. c 5. c 7. b 9. a Answers will vary. Here are some examples:

2. a 4. a 6. c 8. b 10. c
1. The boss would’ve fired her if she hadn’t finished the report.
2. If I’d known it was going to rain, I would’ve taken an umbrella.
Exercise 2
3. If she hadn’t missed so many classes,
she would’ve passed the course.
1. had missed, would have been
4. If yesterday had been a holiday, I’d have stayed in bed all day.
2. had known, would have sent
5. I wouldn’t have missed the bus if you’d woken me.
3. would have bought, had been
6. I would’ve had a party if I’d known it was your birthday.
4. had invited, would have gone
7. I’d have called you if I’d had your number.
5. had known, would have visited
8. If I’d woken up earlier, I would’ve gone for a jog.
6. would have gone, had been
7. would have gone, had felt
(continued on the next page...)
8. had listened, would have known
9. would have gotten, had rung

Exercise 3

1. d 3. j 5. a 7. i 9. g
2. f 4. h 6. b 8. e 10. c

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Answer Key cont.

Exercise 5 Exercise 8

Answers may vary. Answers will vary. This exercise should be done individually as
students will discuss these situations in groups in Exercise 9.
1. Dario would have gotten the job
You may want to assign Exercise 8 for homework and do
if he had had more experience.
Exercise 9 the following day.
2. Elena would have passed her driver’s test
if she had stopped at the red light.
Exercise 9
3. Aiko would have bought the dress if it had fit.
4. The Smiths would have gone to Hawaii
Put students into groups of four if possible. Answers will vary.
if the tickets had been cheaper.
Monitor and encourage the reduced pronunciation of would have to
5. If I had put money in the meter,
woulda. When they’re finished, ask students to share some of the
I wouldn’t have gotten a parking ticket.
info in their charts as a class (e.g., which ones their group agreed on
6. The cake wouldn’t have burned
or the ones where they had a difference of opinion).
if she had set the timer.
7. If she had known it was supposed to rain,
she would have taken an umbrella. Exercise 10
8. Christina would have eaten lunch if she had been hungry.
9. If there had been more snow on the mountain, Answers will vary. Here are some examples:

we would have gone skiing last weekend. 1. If you had eaten healthier food,
10. I would have made lasagna for dinner last night you wouldn’t have needed three fillings.
if I had remembered to buy the noodles. 2. If you had bought travel insurance,
you wouldn’t have wasted your money.
Exercise 6 3. If you had asked someone to help you,
you wouldn’t have hurt your back.
Put students into pairs or small groups. Answers will vary. Monitor 4. If you had paid attention in class,
their third conditional sentence formation and encourage you would have been able to prepare for the test.
contracted verb forms. If students are struggling to come up with 5. If you had been quieter, you wouldn’t have woken the baby.
“big” life events they regret, point out that the regrets can be “small” 6. If you had practiced interview questions with someone,
as well. (E.g., If I had woken up earlier this morning, I wouldn’t have you would have felt more confident during your interview.
had to run for the bus.) 7. You wouldn’t have gotten lost if you had taken a map.
8. Your flowers wouldn’t have died
Exercise 7 if you had asked someone to water your garden.
9. Your mother-in-law wouldn’t be angry
1. a) no b) no 6. a) no b) yes if you had invited her for dinner.
2. a) yes b) yes c) no 7. a) no b) yes 10. If you had studied harder,
3. a) yes b) yes 8. a) no b) no you would have passed your test.
4. a) no b) no 9. a) no b) no c) no
5. a) yes b) yes 10. a) yes b) yes c) yes (continued on the next page...)

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 Third Conditional
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Answer Key cont.

Exercise 11 Exercise 13

Answers will vary. Some examples are listed below. For more 1. would have gone, hadn’t been
practice with wish, have students discuss (or write) their past 2. would tell
regrets from Exercise 6 using the pattern wish + had + p.p. 3. had been
(E.g., I wish I had started learning English when I was a child.) 4. were, would cancel
5. were, would go
1. If I had learned to speak several languages when
6. had been, would have gone
I was young, I would have become a translator.
7. will pick, tell
2. If she had never met him, her life would have been much easier.
8. had stayed, would have finished
3. If they had visited Paris, they would
9. tell, will get
have gone to many famous museums.
10. would ask
4. If he had gotten a government job,
11. knew
he would have had a good pension.
12. had been, would have known, would have done
5. If I hadn’t seen that movie, I wouldn’t
13. rains, will cancel
have had such bad nightmares.
14. would have called, had known
6. If I hadn’t drunk so much coffee,
15. were, would try out
I wouldn’t have had trouble sleeping.
7. If I had taken my camera, I would
have taken so many great pictures.
Exercise 14
8. If it had been warmer yesterday,
Cut up the sentence halves from page 24 and hand out one clause
we would have gone swimming.
to each student. (If you have a small class, you could hand out more
9. If I had read the instructions more carefully,
than one strip to each student or do the activity twice.) Have the
I would have known how to play this game.
students search the room for the matching clause (note that there
10. If I hadn’t yelled at the children, they wouldn’t have cried.
may be more than one possibility in some cases­—you can accept
any logical, reasonable match). When students think they have
Exercise 12
found their match, check that they have formed a logical sentence
with the appropriate verb tenses.
Put students into small groups or pairs. You may wish
to set a time limit (e.g., 10 minutes). Answers will vary.
Exercise 15

1. c 3. b 5. c 7. c 9. b
2. b 4. c 6. a 8. a 10. b

(continued on the next page...)

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 Third Conditional
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Answer Key cont.

Extra Practice I SPELLING NOTE:

This lesson shows the American spelling of the words Neighbor,

This task provides a great review of the first, second, and third Jewelry, and Practice. Most other English-speaking countries spell
conditionals. Cut up one set of sentence halves for each pair or these words this way: Neighbour, Jewellery, and Practise (when
group. Give each pair or group the mixed-up strips and have used as a verb; Practice when used as a noun). Make it a challenge
them arrange all the strips into logical sentences (note that for your students to find these words in the lesson and see if they
there may be more than one possibility in some cases­—you can know the alternate spellings.
accept any logical, reasonable match). If students are struggling,
remind them to look for the verb tenses and patterns from EDITOR’S NOTES:
page 25. Alternatively (or additionally), you can repeat Exercise 14
on another day for review using the one set of sentence strips 1. We recommend that students try our First Conditional

you’ve already prepared. and Second Conditional lessons in our Grammar Practice
Worksheets section before trying this one.

Extra Practice II • First Conditional Lesson:

https://esllibrary.com/courses/88/lessons/1602
On page 25, you will find a comparison chart with all four
• Second Conditional Lesson:
conditional tenses. Comparing all the conditional tenses at once
https://esllibrary.com/courses/88/lessons/1603
can be helpful for students to see when and why each is used. Try
presenting the chart before or after the Third Conditional lesson.
2. For more practice with irregular past participle forms, see
You can find more teaching tips on our blog (http://blog.esllibrary.
our Irregular Verb List and Verb Cards. You may also want to
com/2013/03/14/an-easy-way-to-teach-conditionals/) and in our
check out some of our blog posts.
Grammar Practice Worksheets section (https://esllibrary.com/
courses/88/lessons). In that section, you’ll find our lessons on • Irregular Verb List:
the First and Second Conditional. https://esllibrary.com/resources/2275

• Verb Cards:
https://esllibrary.com/resources/2247

• Got Vs. Gotten:

http://blog.esllibrary.com/2018/07/12/got-vs-gotten/

• Hanged Vs. Hung:

http://blog.esllibrary.com/2015/07/09/hanged-vs-hung/

• Lay Vs. Lie:

http://blog.esllibrary.com/2012/11/14/lay-vs-lie-lets-lay-
this-matter-to-rest/

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 Third Conditional
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Extra Practice I
SENTENCE STRIPS

If I had been as sick as you, I wouldn’t have gone to work.

If I feel tired, I will lie down for a while.

If I felt sick, I would go to the doctor.

If you had eaten the whole pizza, you would have felt very full.

If I had had a dog, it would have barked and scared away the robber.

If I had a dog, I would take it for a run every day.

If I go to the park this afternoon, I’ll take my dog with me.

If he loses his job, he’ll apply for another one.

If he hadn’t finished the project on time, the boss would have fired him.

If he steals that jewelry, the police will probably catch him.

If the police had caught him, he would have gone to jail.

If I had gone camping, I would have taken a flashlight.

If the power goes out, I will look for a flashlight.

If my car broke down on the way to work, I would call a taxi.

If she hadn’t gone on holidays, she wouldn’t have missed the annual conference.

If she had gone to the beach, she would have taken her bathing suit.

If it’s hot this afternoon, he will go swimming.

If I had known about her problem, I would have tried to help her.

If I hadn’t done my homework, I wouldn’t have gotten a good score on the quiz.

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 Third Conditional
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Extra Practice II
CONDITIONAL COMPARISON CHART

Name Form Time Function Example

Use this conditional to show • If he takes vitamins every day,

an outcome that happens he doesn’t get sick.
Zero Conditional If + present, present Present
if a specific repeated • He doesn’t get sick if he
condition is met. takes vitamins every day.

Use this conditional to show • If she studies for the test,

First Conditional Present/ a likely or possible outcome she will get a good grade.
If + present, will + verb
(Real Conditional) Future that will probably happen if • She will get a good grade
a specific condition is met. if she studies for the test.

Unlikely situation
Use this conditional to show • If he won the lottery, he would quit his job.
an unlikely or impossible • He would quit his job if he won the lottery.
Second Conditional Present/
If + past, would + verb outcome that probably
(Unreal Conditional) Future Impossible situation
wouldn’t happen (unless a
specific condition were met). • If I had wings, I would fly to Antarctica.
• I would fly to Antarctica if I had wings.

• If I had remembered to call my

Use this conditional to show
friend last night, she wouldn’t
a past regret or different
If + had + p.p., have sent me an angry text message.
Third Conditional Past outcome that would have
would + have + p.p. • My friend wouldn’t have sent
happened if a specific
me an angry text message if I had
condition had been met.
remembered to call her last night.

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