third conditional

noun

A structure used to convey unreal or unfulfilled events in the past, containing an if clause (with a verb in the past perfect) and a main clause (with would + the bare perfect infinitive of a verb).

“"If Columbus hadn't discovered America, he wouldn't have been famous" is an example of the third conditional.”

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Meanings

nounthird conditional (plural third conditionals)

plural third conditionals

  1. grammarA structure used to convey unreal or unfulfilled events in the past, containing an if clause (with a verb in the past perfect) and a main clause (with would + the bare perfect infinitive of a verb).

    "If Columbus hadn't discovered America, he wouldn't have been famous" is an example of the third conditional.

Cite this entry
APA

third conditional. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/third%20conditional

MLA

“third conditional.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/third%20conditional. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “third conditional,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/third%20conditional.

Source: third conditional on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.