Speak About:

Present

Past

Past to Present

Future

Abilities - Responsibilities

Asking Questions

Choosing the Right Phrase

Combining Verbs

Explaining Ideas

Describing Your World

Complex Ideas

Relating Ideas, People, Objects

Speaking about Objects

Wondering about Situations

What Would Have Happened

Third Conditional

The third, or 'past', conditional is used to imagine past outcomes different than what actually took place. This conditional is used to express what would have been different if a person had done something differently.

'If' clause - past perfect + , + result clause - would + have + verb (conditional perfect tense)

Examples of Past Unreal Outcomes

If they had understood monetary policy better, we wouldn't be in this mess.

The capital allowance would have been granted if the merger had been approved by regulators.

She would have ordered the TV online if the shipping cost had been lower.

If they had known about the project before, this project wouldn't be listed on short notice.

Do not use a comma, when placing the result clause first.

He would have invested in the futures market if he'd had more confidence in the economy.

She would have ordered the TV online if the shipping cost had been lower.