MIXED CONDITIONALS

Unlike the other unreal conditional sentences which refer to the same time: the present, the future, or the past, MIXED CONDITIONALS are those unreal conditional sentences whose time in the ‘if-clause’ is different than the time in the ‘main clause’.

There are two types of mixed conditionals:

1. Present result of past condition

This type of mixed conditional refers to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the present. It expresses a situation which is contrary to reality both in the past and present.

IF CLAUSE (If + Past perfect), MAIN CLAUSE (Present conditional)

• If we had looked at the map, we wouldn’t be lost

       [In reality: We didn’t look at the map (past reality). As the result, we are lost (present reality).]

• If I had studied harder at school, I would have a better job now.

       [In reality: I didn’t study harder at school. As the result, I haven’t got a good job.]

2. Past result of present or continuing condition

This type of mixed conditional refers to an unreal present situation and its probable (but unreal) past result. The time in If-clause is now or always and the time in main clause is before now.

IF CLAUSE (If + Simple past), MAIN CLAUSE (Perfect conditional)

• If she wasn’t afraid of flying, she wouldn’t have travelled by boat.

       [In reality: She is afraid of flying (present reality) and that’s why she travelled by boat (past reality).]

• If I was a good cook, I’d have invited them to dinner.

       [In reality: I’m not a good cook. That’s why I didn’t invite them to dinner.]

Had Better vs Should

HAD BETTER and SHOULD are used to give advice. 

• You should put cool water on a burn.
• You had better put cool water on a burn.
• You should brush your teeth three times a day.
• We had better study tonight because the exam is tomorrow morning.

Although both have the meanings, HAD BETTER is stronger because it implies a negative consequence if you don’t follow the advice; “You should do it, or else…”

Compare these sentences:
[1] We should take a taxi because it is quite a long walk.
[2] We had better take a taxi because we don’t have much time.
In sentence [2], it implies “We should take a taxi, or else we’ll be late.”

Another difference is that usually HAD BETTER are not used with questions.
• Should I put cool water on a burn? √
• Had better I put cool water on a burn? x

There is a difference in the negative form as well. You can make a contraction only with the verb should, but not with HAD BETTER.
• You should not put cool water on a burn. = You shouldn’t put cool water on a burn.
• You had better not put cool water on a burn.

To make your advice more polite, use expressions such as “I think…” and “Maybe…”
• You should eat less fatty food. — Maybe you should eat less fatty food.
• You’d better call your mom, she looked very worried. — I think you’d better call your mom, she looked very worried.

“You’d better” or “You better”
You may hear someone say “you better” instead of “you’d better”. However, grammatically, “you’d better” is correct – so use this form.