Sometimes conditionals are mixed, meaning that the if clause is not the same as the result.
PAST/PRESENT
If I had (past) won the lottery I would (present) be rich
If I had finished (past) my work yesterday, I would (present) be more relaxed today.
For clarification we are above we are saying that if the past was different, now would be different.
Actions in different times affect results in other times. Mixed conditionals are used to contrast results in different times. If an action in one time affects a result in the same time, then it is not a mixed conditional and both clauses share the same time.
PAST/FUTURE
If they had presented well, they would be presenting again next week.
If we took more care in the beginning, the possibilities in the future would look more promising
.
PRESENT /PAST
If I were rich, I would have bought that enormous house.
If they spent less time working, they would of enjoyed life more.
PAST/FUTURE
If it didn’t rain yesterday, I would have been optimistic for the party to go ahead tomorrow.
If governments had an agreement on how to deal with these things in the future, these things would be easier when they arise again.
PRESENT/FUTURE
If they listen to her talk about her ideas on the future, the will be able to plan in a better way.
If she likes the idea, we are sure that this will make the process easier in the future.
FUTURE/PAST
If our CEO was not coming next week, I would not have cancelled my holiday.
If John decided to listen to us in the first place, he would not of had a problem with entertaining the idea of foreign investors.
FUTURE/PRESENT
If I didn’t agree to come to your party next week, I would stay at my sister’s house and argue about things that don’t matter anymore.
If they were going to the amusement park, we would all be happy and excited.
___________
So how about you?
Using mixed conditionals:
What could you have done differently and how would now be different?
What can change now and have a different result in the past?
..or a different result in the future?
______
Tip
* We sometimes use the past tense to describe the present. I these cases, it is important to note the context of what is being said.