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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 started there if she had understood the true hierarchy of needs.

She would have started a business-friendly international NGO if Susan had retired.

If they had known the new techniques for health promotion, they would have implemented them."

We would have lost our honest broker status if the newspaper had run the story.

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

They would have rewritten the bylaws if he had won his case against them.

She would have filed a complaint if she'd known how a hostile work environment is defined by international law.

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