Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
The idea
Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
Structure & examples
If we had booked earlier, we would have paid less.
If I had known, I would have called.
Notice the pattern
Both clauses describe an unreal past: the condition did not happen and neither did its imagined consequence. The if clause uses had plus a past participle; the result uses would have plus a past participle. Could have and might have express a possible result rather than a certain one.
If you had asked I would have helped.
We would have stayed if we had been able to.
Important notes & common mistakes
Both clauses refer to an unreal past.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Your progress
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Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
If she had studied, she ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: would have passed
Completed sentence: If she had studied, she would have passed. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
We would have arrived earlier if we ___ at six.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: had left
Completed sentence: We would have arrived earlier if we had left at six. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
If I ___, I would have helped.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: had known
Completed sentence: If I had known, I would have helped. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
They ___ the train if they had hurried.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: would not have missed
Completed sentence: They would not have missed the train if they had hurried. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
Question 1 of 50% complete
If we had booked earlier, we ___ less.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: would have paid
Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: would have passed
Completed sentence: If she had studied, she would have passed. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: had left
Completed sentence: We would have arrived earlier if we had left at six. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: had known
Completed sentence: If I had known, I would have helped. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: would not have missed
Completed sentence: They would not have missed the train if they had hurried. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: would have called
Completed sentence: Use call with would have: If I had had your number, I would have called you. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: had seen
Completed sentence: Use see in the past perfect: If he had seen the sign, he would have stopped. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: would have taken
Completed sentence: Use take with would have: If it had rained, we would have taken a taxi. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: had booked
Completed sentence: Use book in the past perfect: If we had booked earlier, it would have been cheaper. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: would not have gone
Completed sentence: Use not go with would have, without contractions: If I had known, I would not have gone. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: If I had known, I would have called
Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past. Both clauses refer to an unreal past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: If you had asked I would have helped
If you had asked I would have helped. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past. Both clauses refer to an unreal past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: We would have stayed if we had been able to
We would have stayed if we had been able to. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past. Both clauses refer to an unreal past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: She would have called if she had known
She would have called if she had known. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past. Both clauses refer to an unreal past.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: If they had hurried they would have won
If they had hurried they would have won. Use if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to imagine a different past. Both clauses refer to an unreal past.
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