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If Leon had known about the problem, he would have helped. If you hadn't overslept, we wouldn't have been late. Use this to talk about a hypothetical situation and result in the past. The situation cannot be changed. start learning
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hypothetical past conditional (third conditional) If Leon had known about the problem, he would have helped. If you hadn't overslept, we wouldn't have been late. conditional clause: if+past perfect; result clause: would/might/could + have + past participle
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If I hadn't been sitting there, we wouldn't have met. For a longer action, use the past perfect continuous start learning
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hypothetical past conditional (third conditional): If I hadn't been sitting there, we wouldn't have met. conditional clause: if+past perfect continuous; result clause: would/might/could+have+past participle
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Why didn't you tell me you wanted some grapes? I could have bought you some. It is common to use only one clause of the full conditional. Result clause. start learning
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hypothetical past conditional (third conditional) Why didn't you tell me you wanted some grapes? I could have bought you some.
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I'm surprised Paul didn't tell her what he thought. I would have said something. It is common to use only one clause of the full conditional. Result clause. start learning
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hypothetical past conditional (third conditional) I'm surprised Paul didn't tell her what he thought. I would have said something.
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Would you have done it? Yes, if I'd noticed in time. It is common to use only one clause of the full conditional. Conditional clause. start learning
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hypothetical past conditional (third conditional) Would you have done it? Yes, if I'd noticed in time.
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If she hadn't missed her plane, she'd be in Mexico now. If I'd been successful in the exam, I might have a better job now. Use this to talk about a hypothetical condition in the past with a result in the present. start learning
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mixed conditional: If she hadn't missed her plane, she'd be in Mexico now. If I'd been successful in the exam, I might have a better job now. conditional clause: if+past perfect; result clause: would/might/could+infinitive
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You would have known about the meeting if you'd checked your emails. You wouldn't need a visa to work in Australia if you'd been born there. Note the non-use of the comma. start learning
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It is possible to change the order of the clauses.
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In the conditional clause use: the past perfect start learning
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to talk about the hypothetical past.
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In the result clause use: modal+have+past participle start learning
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In the result clause use: modal+infinitive start learning
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to talk about the present.
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If the builders had begun the job two weeks ago, a) they might have finished it by now. b) they might finish it by now. start learning
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If the builders had begun the job two weeks ago, they might have finished it by now.
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If Chun had started the race better, a) she could win the gold medal. b) she could have won the gold medal. start learning
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If Chun had started the race better, she could have won the gold medal.
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a) if you hadn't given me the wrong directions. b) if you gave me the wrong directions. start learning
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We wouldn't be lost, if you hadn't given me the wrong directions.
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If Marco hadn't ignored my advice, a) he wouldn't be in this mess now. b) he couldn't have been in this mess now. start learning
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If Marco hadn't ignored my advice, he wouldn't be in this mess now.
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I would have noticed the hole in the ground a) if I hadn't thought about something else. b) if I hadn't been thinking about something else. start learning
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I would have noticed the hole in the ground if I hadn't been thinking about something else.
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Beth didn't study. She didn't pass the exam. start learning
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If Beth had studied, she could have passed the exam.
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You didn't invite me to the party. That's why I didn't come. start learning
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If you had invited me to the party, I would have come.
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Ludmila lost all her money on the stock market. That's why she's not rich now. start learning
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If Ludmila hadn't lost all her money on the stock market, she would be rich now.
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Greg wasn't travelling fast. That's probably why he didn't hit the motorcyclist. start learning
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If Greg hab been travelling fast, he might have hit the motorcyclist.
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They stopped the fire. That's probably why it didn't destroy most of the building. start learning
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If they hadn't stopped the fire, it could have destroyed most of the building.
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The plant died because you didn't water it. start learning
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The plant would not have died, if you had watered it.
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Mei-li was able to afford a new car because she had just won some money. start learning
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Mei-li couldn't have afforded a new car, if she hadn't just won some money.
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We were working together in Tokyo and now we're married. start learning
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If we hadn't been working in Tokyo, we wouldn't be married now.
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