Ch 9 · Lesson 10English · Chapter 9 · Lesson 10 · Grammar primer
If I had known: the third conditional
If + had + third form, would have + third form, for a past that did not happen. And the rule for all of them: no will or would after if.
The short version
Will and would never live in the if-clause
, .
Why?Hide
This is the big one. The condition takes a present or past tense and the result clause carries will or would. The same rule blocks the third-conditional version: If I would have known is never right, because the condition needs the past perfect instead.
Third conditional: a past that did not happen
+ + , + . For a past you imagine differently, often a regret.
| If part | Result |
|---|---|
, | . |
, | . |
, | . |
If I had studied, I would have passed tells you: I didn't study, and I
didn't pass. The if part uses the
past perfect. Could have and might
have work too: .
In speech, both halves can shorten to 'd:
, . The first 'd is had, the
second is would.
Will and would: not after if
Polite requests are an exception: If you would follow me, please. (= please follow me)
Going further: Two halves and one comma and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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8-question session
One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
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