Why is using third conditional so difficult?

That was Vitoria's question.

But we also want your questions.

You can email us at learningenglish@bbc.co.uk.

But now, onto the third conditional.

So, what is the third conditional?

Well, here's an example.

This was Phil yesterday, he had a problem and he needed help.

If you'd called me, I would have helped you.

First, understanding the meaning.

Isn't easy, the third conditional is used to talk about things in the past that did or didn't happen, but you're imagining a different reality to what actually happened in the past.

The past.

So, you didn't call me, so I didn't help you.

But if you had called me, then I would have helped you.

This is the imaginary situation.

Georgie panicked in her job interview yesterday, she hadn't practiced.

If she'd practiced for the interview, she wouldn't have panicked.

Did she panic?

Yes.

Why? Because she hadn't practiced for the interview.

This is a regret, she wishes that she'd done something differently.

Now, to make the third conditional easier, try to swap the clauses around.

She probably wouldn't have panicked if she'd practiced for the interview.

This sounds a bit more natural.

I would have helped you if you'd called me.

Now, getting the grammar right is also very important.

I would have helped you, I plus would plus have plus the past participle.

That's the third form of the verb.

Help, helped, helps.

If you'd called me, if plus you plus the past perfect.

Here's another example.

They said she would have got the job if the interview had gone better.

She would have got the job.

If the interview had gone better.

And then there's the pronunciation, especially contractions.

I would have helped you.

I would have, I would've.

I would've helped you.

If you'd called me.

If you had, if you'd.

If you'd called me.

I would have helped you if you'd called me.

It's really important to practice.

Have a go now.

Would have, would've.

Would have eaten, would have eaten.

Would have gone out, would have gone out.

If I had, if I'd.

If I'd known, if I'd known.

Now, the other thing to remember is that the whole conditional.

Is often not used, quite often.

We only use.

Half of it.

Phil, I got into university.

Wow, that's amazing.

Ugh, if I'd studied harder.

Anyway, what are you studying?

I'm studying drama.

Nice, I would have studied dance.

That's all for now, but check below and you'll find more on this topic.

See you soon.