If I Had Taken That Flight – A Third Conditional Story About Regrets
- Rose Sensei
- Oct 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 19
We’ve all had moments when we thought, “If only I had done that…”
😔The Third Conditional helps us talk about regrets and imaginary results of things that happened (or didn’t happen!) in the past.
In this short story, meet Mia, a young woman who didn’t take a flight to Japan — and now imagines how her life could have been different.
🌧️ Story: If I Had Taken That Flight
It was raining outside Mia’s apartment as she scrolled through her phone, watching her best friend Emma’s travel photos from Tokyo. Cherry blossoms. Sushi. Neon lights.
Mia sighed. “If I had taken that flight with Emma last spring, I would have seen Japan too.”
She remembered how she had cancelled her ticket at the last minute because of work. “If I hadn’t worried so much about my job, I might have enjoyed the best trip of my life.”
Her phone buzzed — a message from her boss:
‘Sorry, Mia, our office will be remote from next month. You can work from anywhere.’
Mia laughed bitterly. “If they had told me that earlier, I wouldn’t have stayed home.”
Later that evening, she made herself some instant ramen and watched a travel vlog. “If I had gone, I would have met new people. Maybe even learned some Japanese!”
She smiled. “Well, next time, I won’t let fear stop me. But… if I had gone, my fridge probably wouldn’t be full of expired yogurt right now.”
💬 Grammar Focus: Third Conditional
Structure | Example | Meaning |
If + had + past participle | If I had taken that flight | Imaginary condition in the past |
would have + past participle | I would have seen Japan | Imaginary result in the past |
might have / could have + past participle | I might have enjoyed the best trip | Possible or uncertain result |
✅ Use the Third Conditional when you talk about regrets, lost chances, or things that could have been different in the past.
🧠 Comprehension Check
Where did Emma travel to?
Why didn’t Mia go on the trip?
What happened later with Mia’s job?
What lesson did Mia learn?
✍️ Grammar Practice
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
If Mia __________ (go) to Japan, she __________ (try) real sushi.
If she __________ (not cancel) her flight, she __________ (meet) new people.
If her boss __________ (announce) remote work earlier, she __________ (travel).
If you were Mia, what __________ (you/do) differently?
💡 Discussion Prompt
Have you ever missed an opportunity you now regret?________________________________________________________
What would you have done differently if you could go back in time?
________________________________________________________
✨ Want to Practice More Conditionals?
📌Check out related Grammar and Quiz videos:
🎥 YouTube Channel Playlist
🔗Learn Conditionals With Stories & Lessons https://tinyurl.com/38emjp3v
🔗Learn Grammar Through Engaging Stories https://tinyurl.com/bvwvckfu
🔗Learn Vocabulary Through Engaging Stories https://tinyurl.com/23wz3zb8
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