[00:00:10] Speaker A: Well, here's something surprising. English allows you to change the past, at least grammatically.
You can't really undo a mistake, but you can imagine a different past and its possible consequences.
For example, if I had known, I would have acted differently.
[00:00:28] Speaker B: And sometimes a past mistake is still causing problems. Now, for example, if Johnny hadn't shared that video, his neighbors wouldn't be laughing at him today.
[00:00:41] Speaker A: What are you talking about, Alin? Well, we'll explain that suspiciously specific example very soon. But today we are learning the third conditional, the mixed conditionals. And later we will also explain explore some of the most famous histories hoaxes, from a supposed Martian invasion in 1938 to the modern AI generated alien videos. So let's get started, friends. I'm Johnny. I'm here with Aline. Hello, Aline.
And you're listening to the Trainer podcast. Your place to learn English, remember? Get your free class with a link in the description. Visit trainant.com or you can just go to the QR code that you see here and you can get your free class.
So this way you can learn English with the best online school. So get started, Aline.
Fictional dialogue Morning, Johnny.
[00:01:39] Speaker B: Why are you wearing sunglasses indoors?
[00:01:43] Speaker A: Well, I didn't sleep last night, Aline. I saw a video of a UFO above my screen.
[00:01:49] Speaker B: A real ufo?
[00:01:51] Speaker A: Oh, a dark object, a green light, a terrifying sound. I had to warn my neighbors.
[00:01:57] Speaker B: You wrote, lock your doors, turn off the lights. This is not a drill.
[00:02:03] Speaker A: Well, it seemed irresponsible at that time.
[00:02:05] Speaker B: Mrs. Taylor called the police, and Gary started building an emergency shelter.
[00:02:11] Speaker A: Gary overreacted.
[00:02:13] Speaker B: You went outside wearing a bicycle helmet and a kitchen colander.
[00:02:18] Speaker A: It was just protective equipment.
[00:02:21] Speaker B: If you had watched the entire video, Johnny, none of this would have happened.
[00:02:26] Speaker A: What do you mean?
[00:02:28] Speaker B: The final 12 seconds explained everything.
The object was a drone, the green light was a reflection, and the terrifying sound was a car alarm.
[00:02:39] Speaker A: Well, if the creator hadn't added dramatic music, I might not have believed it.
[00:02:44] Speaker B: If you weren't so impulsive, you wouldn't have shared it.
[00:02:49] Speaker A: Well, I admit that I reacted too quickly.
[00:02:52] Speaker B: Your neighbors have now elected you extraterrestrial Emergency Coordinator.
[00:02:59] Speaker A: Really?
[00:03:00] Speaker B: No one else wanted the job.
[00:03:02] Speaker A: Well, if I hadn't shared that video, my neighbors wouldn't be laughing at me now.
[00:03:07] Speaker B: Exactly.
[00:03:09] Speaker A: Oh, don't sound so pleased, Aline.
Okay, so? Well, we use a lot of third and mixed conditionals. Let's explain this now in our grammar section.
[00:03:21] Speaker B: Exactly. So, Johnny, your mistake happened last night, but your neighbors are still laughing at you today.
[00:03:29] Speaker A: Oh, unfortunately, yes.
[00:03:31] Speaker B: That situation is perfect. For understanding the difference between the third conditional and mixed conditionals, let's begin with the third conditional.
We use the third conditional to imagine a different past, as you mentioned before, to change something that happened in the past. We talk about the situation that did not happen and imagine how the result might also have been different.
[00:03:56] Speaker A: That's right. So the grammar structure, as you can see here in the slide, it's if plus past perfect would have plus past participle. So let's put this in a sentence.
If Johnny had watched a whole video, he wouldn't have shared it. Though in reality, I didn't watch the video and I did share the video. So
[00:04:24] Speaker B: another if Mrs. Taylor hadn't believed the message, she wouldn't have called the police.
Again, both the condition and the result refer to the past. We can also use could have or might have, or instead of would have. Okay.
If Johnny had checked the comments, he could have discovered the truth.
Or if the video hadn't included dramatic music, he. He might not have believed it.
We use would have for a probable imaginary result, could have for an opportunity or ability, and might have for a less certain probability or possibility.
[00:05:06] Speaker A: Fantastic. Would have, could have, might have. Great.
Well, let us move now then, to something that some students might find it difficult, which are the mixed conditionals.
But let's start with past, condition and present result. Okay. Because we will talk about two mixed conditionals. So this is the first one. A mixed conditional connects two different ideas. The first common type describes a past action that has a consequence noun. As you can see again in the slide, the structure is if past perfect would plus the base form of the verb.
[00:05:43] Speaker B: For example, if Johnny hadn't shared the video, his neighbors wouldn't be laughing at him now. The condition happened in the past. Johnny shared the video last night. That's past. The result is in the present. The neighbors are laughing now.
Let me give another example. If I had gone to bed earlier, I wouldn't be so tired now. The decision to go to bed happened in the past, but the tiredness clearly is now.
[00:06:12] Speaker A: Yeah. So compare these sentences. If I had gone to bed earlier, I wouldn't have felt tired this morning.
That is a third conditional, because both parts refer to the past. If I had gone, I wouldn't have felt past.
If I had gone to bed earlier, I wouldn't feel tired now. Well, that is a mixed conditional, because the condition is in the past and the result is in the present.
Words such as now, today still often help us recognize the type of mixed conditional.
[00:06:48] Speaker B: Excellent. So now let's go to another type of mixed conditional, present condition and past results. So the opposite of what we've just done. The second common mixed conditional describes some present characteristics or situation that affected something in the past. And the structure we can see it on the slide is if past, simple and after the comma we have would have plus past participle. Okay. For example, if Johnny weren't so impulsive, he wouldn't have shared the video.
Being impulsive is a general characteristic that Johnny has now, but sharing the video was in a past action influenced by that characteristic that is present. So it's the way around.
[00:07:37] Speaker A: Very good. So another example, if Aline weren't so curious, she wouldn't have climbed onto the roof.
So Aline is generally curious and that explains her past decision.
We normally use were rather than was in hypothetical conditionals. If I were more careful, if he were more skeptical, if Johnny weren't so impulsive.
So you may hear native speakers use was in informal conversation. But remember, where is the safer option in formal English and for the exams, never use was in this type of words or sentences.
[00:08:21] Speaker B: Very good. Now the big question is how to choose the correct conditional. Now we know third conditional mixed conditionals, but when to use them. Well, with simple questions we will solve that problem.
First question you need to ask when is the imaginary condition? When is it?
When is the imaginary result?
If both refer to the past, you use the third conditional. If I had known, I would have helped.
Now, if the condition is in the past, but the result is true right now, then you need the mixed conditional. An example would be if I had studied medicine past, I would be a doctor. Now, another mixed conditional with another possibility. Now, if the condition is a present characteristic, but the result happened in the past.
Now we use the other mixed conditional, which is if I were more organized, I wouldn't have missed yesterday's meeting.
The important thing is not simply memorizing a formula. You need to understand the timeline.
[00:09:30] Speaker A: Very good. Well explained, Aline. Fantastic.
So let us talk about common mistakes using word after if.
Well, one of the most common mistakes is using would have instead of inside.
[00:09:46] Speaker B: Yeah, exactly.
[00:09:47] Speaker A: Inside the if clause. That's right. So if Johnny would have watched a video, he wouldn't have shared it.
No, that's not correct. If Johnny had watched the video, he wouldn't have shared it after if use the past. Perfect. If I had known, if she had arrived, if they hadn't forgotten, use would
[00:10:09] Speaker B: have, could have, might have in the result never after if. But on the other part of the sentence, I would have stayed, she could have helped. They might have remembered. It's true. Some native speakers use forms such as if I had, if sorry, if I would have known in casual or regional English, but that's not the standard English we recommend and even less for exams. Please.
[00:10:37] Speaker A: That's right.
So another common mistake using the wrong past participle after had, would have, could have, and might have. We need a past participle. So never say if I had knew. No, if I had known, never say, I would have went.
No, I would have gone.
Another example. She could have took the train. No, she could have taken the train.
[00:11:06] Speaker B: And pay particular attention to irregular verbs, please. No new known, go when gone, take, take, took, taken, see, so seen. Very important to know them well.
[00:11:18] Speaker A: Okay. And another common mistake is confusing the timeline. So learners sometimes use the third conditional, even when the result is in the past in the present. Sorry.
So for example, saying something like if I had studied harder, I would have a better result yesterday.
This is incorrect because yesterday refers to the past result.
[00:11:41] Speaker B: So the correct third conditional is if I had studied harder, I would have got a better result yesterday.
But if the consequence exists now, we use a mixed conditional. If I had studied harder at university, still past, I would have a better job now present.
[00:12:01] Speaker A: Fantastic. So another incorrect sentence would be if I were more organized, I wouldn't miss the meeting you yesterday. Because the Ms. Meeting happened in the past. We need if I were more organized, I wouldn't have missed the meeting yesterday. So that's a little bit the idea.
Fine. So let us go to the question to the audience.
[00:12:55] Speaker B: If you're enjoying this episode, which I'm sure you are, Visit our website trainloan.com to improve your English with 100% effective method and a very complete E learning platform. You can also scan the QR code to get your free class.
Let's continue.
[00:13:14] Speaker A: Fantastic. So let us go then to our cultural discussion. Aline.
Because our story was fictional, but really false alarms have fooled real audience for decades.
[00:13:28] Speaker B: Let's begin. On the 30th of October 1938, Orson Wellesley broadcast a radio adaptation of the War of the Worlds. Presented partly as breaking news about a Martian invasion.
Some late listeners believed it was real, although the famous story of nationwide mass panic was later greatly exaggerated.
[00:13:53] Speaker A: You're right. You know, Matthew told me that he listened to.
[00:13:56] Speaker B: To this one in 1938 when he was a kid.
[00:14:00] Speaker A: It he. He still remembers this. This story, you know.
Well, if. If everyone had heard introduction like Matthew, for example, maybe did well, fewer people
[00:14:10] Speaker B: might have misunderstood it Then in 1995, millions watched grainy footage that supposedly showed an alien autopsy after the Roswell incident. The body and the operation were fake. Years later, the producer admitted that the famous footage had been recreated.
[00:14:31] Speaker A: Well, you know, again, Stefan at this time, I think 1995, I think Stefan traveled to. To Roosevelt, just area, you know, just he. I think I. If I search for the pictures, I think I can still find them. So. Yeah, but fake aliens existed before convincing digital effects.
[00:14:52] Speaker B: Yeah, creativity was enough.
In 2009, the world watched a flying saucer shaped balloon because a family claimed their six year son was trapped inside it.
He was later found at home. Authorities treated the incident as a publicity hoax and his parents pleaded guilty, although the family has subsequently denied staging it.
[00:15:17] Speaker A: And then social media made everything faster.
[00:15:20] Speaker B: Exactly. In January 2024, videos of a huge police response at a Miami shopping center inspired rumors about 8-10-T aliens.
Police explained that officers had responded to a disturbance involving teenagers and fireworks. The supposed alien was a person and a shadow.
At the end of 2024, an AI generated video of flashing UFOs over Maryland received millions of views. Its own creator later confirmed that it had made it with artificial intelligence.
[00:15:56] Speaker A: You know, this sounds familiar. I think Vicky told me that she was in Miami at that time. You know, just.
In fact, I think she was part of the disturbing teenagers. You know, just being there, just.
No, I'm joking. Well, in the most recent case.
[00:16:13] Speaker B: You're making friends today?
[00:16:14] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:16:18] Speaker B: Okay. Do you want to know about the latest. The most recent case?
[00:16:22] Speaker A: Yeah, please.
[00:16:22] Speaker B: Before you accuse me of being. Somewhere in 2025, a generated footage supposedly showing mutant or alien creatures inside Area 51 were shared as if it were real. The original account actually specialized in fictional AI videos.
[00:16:43] Speaker A: Don't worry, alien, I'm not going to say anything. So. Yeah, just. I mean, I will keep quiet what you told me about Area 51. I will keep it quiet.
So the technology changes, but as you can see, the trick remains exactly the same.
[00:16:58] Speaker B: Exactly. Frightening images, missing context, and an audience that reacts before checking. Like Johnny. If people post before sharing, many of these stories wouldn't spread so far.
[00:17:12] Speaker A: All right, so let's go.
[00:17:31] Speaker B: If humans had detected the aliens earlier, we wouldn't be running away now. La condicion had detectig esta en el pasado pere resultadosente Wouldn't be running away now.
Mixed conditional.
[00:17:57] Speaker A: Now you can write your sentence in the comments. So what famous hoax would you have lived if you had seen it first? Right. Well, you can use a third conditional or mixed conditional option one or option two.
[00:18:11] Speaker B: Very good. So today we learned three important patterns.
If I had known I would have acted differently. Third conditional. If I had studied more I would have a better job now mixed conditional with the result now if I were more organized I would have missed the meeting the characteristics in the present and the results in the past.
[00:18:37] Speaker A: That's right and in the next episode I mess up we will learn how to use wish if only and hope to express regrets and desires. So try a free private class with us. We guarantee that we have the best teachers and also that you can find the best e learning platform because we are the best online language school. Message us using the link in the description or you can scan the QR code you can see here and yes you are only one click away from speaking like a native.
[00:19:12] Speaker B: See you in the next
[email protected] all right.
[00:19:16] Speaker A: Bye Aline. See you.
[00:19:18] Speaker B: Bye Johnny.
