We use the "Contrary-To-Fact In The Past" conditional (or Third Conditional) to talk about unreal, impossible situations in the past. It describes a past condition that did not happen, and the imagined result of that condition. It's often used to express regret or relief.
The Core Meaning
The meaning is always the opposite of what the sentence says.
* If I had done something... (The reality is that I did not do it.)
* ...I would have been successful. (The reality is that I was not successful.)
The Structure
The structure is made of two parts: the 'if' clause (the condition) and the main clause (the result).
The formula is:
\text{If} + \text{Past Perfect}, \ ... \ \text{Modal} + \text{have} + \text{Past Participle}
Let's break that down:
| Clause | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 'If' Clause (The Condition) | If + Subject + had + Past Participle | If she had saved her money... |
| Main Clause (The Result) | Subject + would/could/might + have + Past Participle | ...she would have bought a new car. |
Full Sentence: If she had saved her money, she would have bought a new car.
The Reality: She didn't save her money, so she didn't buy a new car.
Key Examples and Their Real Meaning
* To Express Regret:
* Sentence: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
* Reality: I didn't study hard, and I didn't pass the exam.
* To Express Relief:
* Sentence: If we hadn't checked the map, we would have gotten lost.
* Reality: We checked the map, and we didn't get lost.
* To Speculate about a Different Outcome:
* Sentence: The team might have won if the star player hadn't been injured.
* Reality: The star player was injured, and the team didn't win.
Choosing the Right Modal Verb: would, could, might
The modal verb in the main clause changes the meaning slightly.
* would have: This implies a certain or definite result.
* Example: If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake. (This is what I certainly would have done.)
* could have: This implies ability or possibility. It means the result was possible.
* Example: If I had had more time, I could have finished the project. (I had the ability to finish it, but was prevented by time.)
* might have: This implies a less certain possibility. It's a weaker guess about the result.
* Example: If you had told me about the problem, I might have been able to help. (Maybe I could help, maybe not. It was a possibility, but not a certainty.)
Important Notes
* Clause Order: You can reverse the clauses. When the 'if' clause comes second, you do not use a comma.
* Example: I would have said hello if I had seen you.
* Contractions: In spoken English and informal writing, contractions are very common.
* I had → I'd
* he had → he'd
* she had → she'd
* would have → would've
* could have → could've
* might have → might've
* would not have → wouldn't have
* Example: If I'd known, I'd've (I would've) told you.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in parentheses.
* If you _______ (tell) me about the party, I _______ (go).
* We _______ (miss) the train if we _______ (not / leave) on time.
* She _______ (become) a doctor if she _______ (go) to medical school.
Answers:
* If you had told me about the party, I would have gone.
* We would have missed the train if we hadn't left on time.
* She could have become (or would h
ave become) a doctor if she had gone to medical school.
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