Third Conditional

The Third Conditional talks about an imaginary result in the past that did not really happen: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam. (But I didn't study, so I didn't pass.)

Form: If + Past Perfect (had + V3), would have + V3. It is used to imagine a different past and its different, also unreal, result — often expressing regret or criticism. Both halves of the sentence describe things that are impossible to change because they are already in the past: If she had left earlier, she wouldn't have missed the train. The if-clause can come first or second, with a comma only when it comes first. We can also use could have / might have instead of would have to show ability or possibility: If I had trained harder, I could have won the race.

+ If + Past Perfect, would have + V3

• If I had known about the party, I would have come.
• If they had left earlier, they would have caught the train.

− If + hadn't + V3, wouldn't have + V3

• If she hadn't missed the bus, she wouldn't have been late.
• If we hadn't forgotten the map, we wouldn't have got lost.

? What would have happened if + Past Perfect...?

• What would you have done if you had won the lottery?
• Would you have helped if I had asked you?

• ENIf I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.

  KZМен тырысып оқыған болсам, емтиханнан өткен болар едім.

  RUЕсли бы я усерднее учился, я бы сдал экзамен.

• ENShe wouldn't have missed the flight if she had left home earlier.

  KZҮйден ертерек шыққанда, ол ұшаққа кешікпес еді.

  RUОна не опоздала бы на рейс, если бы вышла из дома раньше.

• ENIf they had invited me, I would have gone to the party.

  KZОлар мені шақырғанда, мен кешке барған болар едім.

  RUЕсли бы они меня пригласили, я бы пошёл на вечеринку.

• ENIf we had taken a taxi, we wouldn't have been late for the meeting.

  KZТакси алғанда, біз жиналысқа кешікпес едік.

  RUЕсли бы мы взяли такси, мы бы не опоздали на встречу.

• ENHad she known the truth, she would have reacted differently.

  KZОл шындықты білгенде, басқаша әрекет ететін еді.

  RUЗнай она правду, она бы отреагировала по-другому.

• ENIf he hadn't broken his leg, he would have played in the final.

  KZАяғын сындырмаса, ол финалда ойнаған болар еді.

  RUЕсли бы он не сломал ногу, он бы сыграл в финале.

• ENIf you had asked me, I would have helped you with the project.

  KZМаған айтсаң, мен сенге жобада көмектескен болар едім.

  RUЕсли бы ты меня попросил, я бы помог тебе с проектом.

• ENWe would have arrived on time if the train hadn't been delayed.

  KZПойыз кешікпегенде, біз уақытында жеткен болар едік.

  RUМы бы прибыли вовремя, если бы поезд не задержали.

• ENIf I had trained harder, I could have won the competition.

  KZҚатты жаттыққанда, мен жарыста жеңе алатын едім.

  RUЕсли бы я тренировался усерднее, я мог бы выиграть соревнование.

• ENIf she had saved more money, she might have bought that house.

  KZКөбірек ақша жинағанда, ол сол үйді сатып алуы мүмкін еді.

  RUЕсли бы она накопила больше денег, она, возможно, купила бы тот дом.

• ✗ If I would have studied, I would have passed.

  ✓ If I had studied, I would have passed.

  Never use would in the if-clause; use had + V3.

• ✗ If she had arrived earlier, she would have saw him.

  ✓ If she had arrived earlier, she would have seen him.

  Would have needs the past participle: seen.

• ✗ If I had more time, I would have finished it.

  ✓ If I had had more time, I would have finished it.

  Both clauses refer to the past, so the if-clause needs Past Perfect: had had.

Second Conditional vs Third Conditional

Second Conditional imagines an unreal present/future (If I had more money, I would travel more). Third Conditional imagines an unreal past, something that cannot be changed (If I had had more money, I would have travelled more).

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