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Grammar: Mixing conditionals – BBC English Masterclass

BBC Learning English

302K views 10 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When you hear the title “Mixing conditionals,” what do you think it means to “mix” grammar patterns?
What kinds of time do you usually talk about with conditionals (past, present, future)?
Why might learning mixed conditionals be useful in real conversations?

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Grammar: Mixing conditionals – BBC English Masterclass

Reviewing conditionals + a third conditional example (00:00 – 01:32)

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1. What does the speaker say the third conditional is used to talk about?

Hypothetical past situations
Real present or future situations
Hypothetical present or future situations
Plans that will definitely happen

2. In the example “If I had taken programming at school, I would have got a job at Google years ago,” what kind of meaning does it express?

A past hypothetical with a past consequence
A future plan with a future consequence
A present hypothetical with a future consequence
A present fact with a present consequence

3. When the speaker changes the sentence to “I would be working for Google,” what changes?

The sentence becomes first conditional
The if-clause becomes present simple
The consequence becomes present, while the if-clause stays past hypothetical
The situation becomes real instead of hypothetical

Grammar: Mixing conditionals – BBC English Masterclass

Past cause with present/future result + present cause with past result (01:32 – 03:30)

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1. According to the speaker, what is the main difference between the present and future versions of “would + infinitive” in these mixed conditionals?

Only the time expression changes
You must add “have” in the future version
The verb form changes from would to will
The if-clause changes to present perfect

2. In “If I were smarter, I would have invented something clever when I was younger,” what does “If I were smarter” mean?

I am not smart (a present, long-term truth)
I was not smart only in the past
I used to be smart, but not now
I will become smarter next year

3. What kind of descriptions does the speaker say this type of conditional works well with?

Weather forecasts
Short temporary actions happening now
Instructions and rules
Personal descriptions

Grammar: Mixing conditionals – BBC English Masterclass

A more specific example + final advice (03:30 – 04:33)

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1. In the example about flying on holiday next week, why couldn’t the person accept the new project?

They didn’t like the project
They were already too busy at work
They had already accepted a different project
They knew they would be flying in the future

2. What does the speaker say is easier: third to second, or second to third?

They are equally easy
Third to second is easier than second to third
Second to third is easier than third to second
Neither is possible

3. What does the speaker say you should not forget about when mixing conditionals?

The importance of time words
Using questions instead of statements
Avoiding all hypothetical language
Using only first conditional structures

Grammar: Mixing conditionals – BBC English Masterclass

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1. What is a “mixed conditional” in this lesson?

A conditional sentence that uses two different time frames (e.g., past cause + present result)
A conditional sentence that only uses present simple
A conditional sentence with no verbs
A conditional sentence that always talks about the future

2. Which structure does the speaker highlight for a past hypothetical (in the if-clause) in his examples?

If + past perfect
If + infinitive
If + will
If + present continuous

3. What helps listeners understand whether the result is present or future when the form is the same (“would + infinitive”)?

Using only irregular verbs
Time expressions (time words)
Adding more adjectives
The speaker’s accent

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

Grammar: Mixing conditionals – BBC English Masterclass

Think of one real-life situation where a past decision affects your life now. How could you express it with a mixed conditional?
Do you agree that past actions can affect the present and future? Give an example.
Which pattern is harder for you: past cause → present/future result, or present condition → past result? Why?
Create your own mixed conditional sentence using a clear time expression (e.g., “next week,” “ten years ago”). Explain what it means.