Conditional Overview with Examples (Part 3)

Past Unreal Conditional

FORM

[If ... PAST PERFECT ..., ... would have + PAST PARTICIPLE ... ]

or

[... would have + PAST PARTICIPLE ... if ... PAST PERFECT ...]

USE

The Past Unreal Conditional is used to talk about imaginary situations in the past. You can describe what you would have done differently or how something could have happened differently if circumstances had been different.

EXAMPLES:

If I had had a car, I would have driven to work. But I didn't have one, so I took the bus.

She would have traveled around the world if she had had more money. But she didn't have much money, so she never traveled.

I would have read more as a child if I hadn't had a TV. Unfortunately, I did have a TV, so I never read for entertainment.

Mary would have gotten the job and moved to Japan if she had studied Japanese in school instead of French.

If they had worked harder, they would have earned more money. Unfortunately, they were lazy and they didn't earn much.

What would you have done if you had won the lottery last week?

I would have traveled.

What city would you have chosen if you had decided to move to the United States?

I would have chosen Seattle.

EXCEPTION Conditional with Modal Verbs

There are some special Conditional forms for modal verbs in English:

would have + can = could have

would have + shall = should have

would have + may = might have

The words “can,” “shall” and “may” must be used in these special forms; they cannot be used with “would have.”

EXAMPLES:

If I had gone to Egypt, I could have learned Arabic. CORRECT

If she had had time, she might have gone to the party. CORRECT

The words “could,” should,” “might” and “ought to” include Conditional, so you cannot combine them with “would.”

EXAMPLES:

If I had had more time, I would have could exercise after work. NOT CORRECT

If I had had more time, I could have exercised after work. CORRECT

If he had invited you, you would have might go. NOT CORRECT

If he had invited you, you might have gone. CORRECT

IMPORTANT Only use “If”

Only the word “if” is used with the Past Unreal Conditional because you are discussing imaginary situations. "When" cannot be used.

EXAMPLES:

I would have bought that computer when it had been cheaper. NOT CORRECT

I would have bought that computer if it had been cheaper. CORRECT