Time frame in a second conditional clause

Question

In type 1 conditional sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is real in both clauses. In type 3 conditionals, the time is the past in both clauses. In Type 2 conditionals, the main clause time frame is now or future.

Question: I haven't seen any time frame mentioned in type 2 conditionals for the conditional (if) clause.

If I am constructing a mixed condition as in the examples:

1. If he were my buddy, he would have helped me. (conditional clause 2nd conditional, main clause 3rd conditional)
2. If I were not afraid of centipedes, I would not have shouted then. (same mixed type as in the first example)

Now, as per my understanding, for the examples to be correct, the time frame in the conditional clause has to be now or always. This is because the main clause happened in the past which means he was not my buddy then. Similarly, I was afraid of centipedes then (in the past time when I shouted).

Please clarify and correct me if I am wrong.

Answer 1

Mixed conditional: If he were my buddy, he would have helped me. (conditional clause 2nd conditional, main clause 3rd conditional)

The supposition about "if he were my buddy" is a general supposition. Compare it to:

If he had been my buddy [which he is now], he would have helped me.

This is similar to: "She said he is a nice man". [nice man is a general thing that continues to apply at all times. Compared to:
"She said he was a nice man" She said that he "was" that.

Answer 2

By definition, the Second Conditional implies a hypothetical situation in the present or future and its hypothetical result in the present/future.

If the weather was better (now or generally), we could have a picnic.

What would Bill do if there was an earthquake (now or in future) in the area?

So, technically, you're right.

In fact, there're 2 types of Mixed Conditionals and in both of them the 2-nd Conditional indicates the present time.

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Type I:

Third Conditional (if-clause) + Second Conditional (main clause)

Usage: Hypothetical conditions in the past and their results in the present.

If Bill had won the lottery, he wouldn't be playing with us (now or "always" depending on the context).

You might not be in so much trouble if you hadn't started gambling.

Type II:

Second Conditional (if-clause) + Third Conditional (main clause)

Usage: Hypothetical conditions in the present and their results in the past.

If Bill knew about computers, he would have applied for that job.

I would have made Bill buy a lottery ticket if I were you.

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conditionals conditional-constructions