THIRD CONDITIONAL EXERCISE 1 (ESL)

GRAMMAR REVIEW! The third conditional

The third conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the past—things that didn't happen, and what the result would have been if they had. It's often used to express regret, criticism, or just to imagine alternate outcomes.

Structure:
If + past perfect, would have + past participle

Examples:
If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
(But I didn't study hard, and I didn't pass.)
If she had left earlier, she wouldn't have missed the train.
(She left late and missed it.)
They would have won the game if they had practiced more.
(They didn't practice enough, so they lost.)

Quick Formula:
Condition (If...): past perfect → had + past participle
Result (Main clause): would have + past participle

Common Uses:
• Regret: If I had known, I would have come earlier.
• Blame: He wouldn't have failed if he had listened.
• Speculation: If we had taken the other road, we might have avoided traffic.

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER CONDITIONAL PRACTICE TESTS:
The First Conditional 1 (B)
The First Conditional 2 (B)
The Second Conditional 1 (I)
The Second Conditional 2 (I)
First or second conditional? 1 (I)
The Third Conditional 1 (I/A)
Conditional tenses (mixed) 1 (I)
Conditional tenses (mixed) 2 (I)
CONDITIONAL or FUTURE? 1 (I)
Conditional, future, or present? 1 (I)

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DID YOU KNOW?

How doe the Cambridge English Exams check your writing?

The Cambridge English Exams (e.g., B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency) assess writing skills across different tasks, focusing on:
1. Task fulfillment - fully completing the assigned task (letter, essay, report, article, review, or proposal) and addressing all bullet points.
2. Organization & coherence - clear paragraphing, logical progression, and use of cohesive devices (e.g., however, moreover, in addition).
3. Vocabulary range - precise and varied language appropriate to the register and topic.
4. Sentence variety - mixing simple and complex structures effectively.
5. Accuracy - grammar, spelling, and punctuation to support clarity and readability.

How it's tested:
• Task 1 (shorter writing): e.g., email, letter, or report (150-190 words depending on level).
• Task 2 (longer writing): essay, article, or proposal (180-250+ words).

Writing is scored on Content, Communicative Achievement, Organization, and Language (vocabulary + grammar), emphasizing clear, accurate, and purposeful communication rather than isolated grammar knowledge.