Topics

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

She wouldn't have released the files if she had understood the blogosphere.

She would work here now if the geek hadn't overruled us.

She would use a router if Bob hadn't already built the gateway.

She would have redesigned the front end if Susan had reported the problem.

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

She would have redesigned the front end if Susan had reported the problem.

I would have talked to him longer if he hadn't had that bluetooth earpiece in his ear.