Mixed conditionals explained.

Mixed conditionals explained.

Mixed conditionals are called 'mixed' because they use two different conditionals.

Compare these sentences from SB p.68, 5c

1a If the kidnapper hadn’t licked that envelope, (Past = 3rd conditional) he wouldn’t be in prison now. (Present = 2nd conditional)

1b If the kidnapper hadn’t licked that envelope, (Past = 3rd conditional) he wouldn’t have gone to prison. (Past = 3rd conditional)

2a If they weren’t such good actors, (Present = 2nd conditional) most of them would probably have been found out much earlier. (Past = 3rd conditional)

2b If they hadn’t been such good actors, (Past = 3rd conditional) most of them would probably have been found out much earlier. (Past = 3rd conditional) 

The mixed conditonals are 2nd + 3rd, of course.