By Conversations, Mixed conditionals

Wow CalifJim, thanks to you I now completely understand the usage! I owe you a lot! I would say that these became mixed conditionals through the substitution of were for had been, which is a common substitution, especially in everyday conversation. I would say that the 'original'...

I would say that these became mixed conditionals through the substitution of were for had been, which is a common substitution, especially in everyday conversation. I would say that the 'original' thoughts and meanings were: If you had been paying attention, it wouldn't have happened. If...

Hi Tanit, No I wouldn't say that for me personally that mixed conditionals are never acceptable in writing - however, written and spoken English do display different characteristics. I think that many native speakers feel that when they commit something to paper or the computer screen, then all...

Thank you, Tam, for the effort you made to try to let me understand this structure. However ... Tam Sadek wrote: Perhaps this example using the Past Perfect/Past Simple will make it clearer. "We arrived late because our plane had been delayed" versus "We arrived late because our plane was...

Hi Tanit, The whole mystery behind these mixed conditionals is merely context from the real life situation. As you probably know the Past Perfect is a last resort for native speakers in conversation as it can usually be avoided by using the Past Simple linked to the fact that everyone involved...

I'd choose #1 as well: 1. Jack wouldn't drive fast on a road where he didn't know how long it was. This is in effect a type 2 conditional. It means that Jack (in our opinion) is unlikely to drive fast on a road if he doesn't know how long it is. Using 'would' + past tense makes the sentence...

Like on exams, it is better to use the standards? Hello Jack I would say that the mixed conditionals you've used as examples are incorrect. If I found them in text I was editing or revising, for instance, I would silently change them to the 'corrected' versions, as given above. I wouldn't use...