Choose the correct mixed conditional sentence expressing a past condition with a present outcome.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. If he had taken the earlier flight, he would be at the conference now.

  1. Step 1: A mixed conditional combining past unreality with present result uses past perfect ('had taken') in the if-clause.
  2. Step 2: The main clause uses 'would + base verb' ('would be') to reflect present ongoing condition ('now').
Answer
If he had taken the earlier flight, he would be at the conference now.
Why not the others: The sentence 'If he took the earlier flight, he would be at the conference now.' uses simple past in if-clause; the sentence 'If he had taken the earlier flight, he would have been at the conference now.' uses third conditional ('would have been') which refers to past result; the sentence 'If he would have taken the earlier flight, he was at the conference now.' uses 'would have' in the if-clause.

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