Conditional Comparison Exercises PDFSet 2: Second, Third & Mixed Conditional Comparison: Present, Past or Cross-Time?

1."would have been"(b)

This is a third conditional — both the condition and the result are about the past. You didn't know about the meeting (past), so you weren't there (past). Third conditional result: 'would have + past participle'. 'Would be' would mean a present result (mixed conditional), but without a time marker like 'now', the natural reading is past.

2."would have got"(c)

This is a mixed conditional (Type 2→3). The if-clause 'spoke' (past simple) describes a permanent present state — her English level now. The result 'last year' is about the past. So: present state → past consequence = 'would have got'. 'Would get' would be a present/future result (pure second conditional), but 'last year' makes it past.

3."had"(a)

This is a second conditional — an imaginary present situation. The speaker doesn't have enough money right now. 'Had' (past simple) is the second conditional form for the if-clause. 'Had had' (past perfect) would make it third conditional, but the result 'would buy' (not 'would have bought') confirms this is about the present.

4."wouldn't be"(d)

This is a mixed conditional (Type 3→2). The if-clause 'had left' (past perfect) describes an unreal past action. The result 'now' is about the present. Past cause → present result = 'wouldn't be'. 'Wouldn't have been' would describe a past result (pure third conditional), but 'now' tells us the result is in the present.

5."would be"(a)

This is a mixed conditional (Type 3→2). 'Had booked' (past perfect) is the unreal past action, and 'right now' signals a present result. Past cause → present result = 'would be'. 'Would have been' would describe a past result (third conditional), but 'right now' clearly points to the present.