Second or third conditional?

[noni74]

Hi
Is the following sentence a second or third conditional?
'If only I hadn't spoken harshly to Deirdre, we could still be friends.'

thanks
noni74

[DavyBCN]

Originally Posted by noni74

Hi
Is the following sentence a second or third conditional?
'If only I hadn't spoken harshly to Deirdre, we could still be friends.'
thanks
noni74

I would classify it as a mixed conditional , because it does not strictly follow the normal grammar rules of second or third. But, as the second is for situations which, if not always realistic, are possible, and the third is for situations which are unreal/hypothetical/impossible, then it is clearly third. It describes a situation which is hypothetical because you did speak harshly and this cannot be undone.

[noni74]

Thank you Davy

[Avalon]

Davy is right.It´s called mixed conditional since it mixes the third with the second..

[noni74]

Thanks Janaina.