CONDITIONAL 3

CONDITIONAL 3

1. Use: an IMAGINARY situation in the PAST; what is contrary to the past facts

   • Main clause
     • would
       • could
         • might
           • should
             • advice/crit.
           • possibility
         • He could have told us what to do, if he had known the facts.
         • ability
       • neutral
     • have + past participle
   • If-clause
     • PAST PERFECT
       • PAST PERFECT CONT.
         • If + could + have + past participle
           • If he could have got the facts, he would have reacted sooner.
           • Different structure: Had he been able to get the facts...
             • = had been able to
           • Had
             • Had he worked harder, he would have succeeded.
             • We can use inversion if we have 'HAD' in the if-clause
             • If it had no been for...
               • Had it not been for...
                 • But for + noun (gerund)
               • Formal English: were + subject + perfect inf.
                 • Were he to have spent...
                   • =
                     • If he had spent...
         • If it had been raining this morning, we would have stayed home.
       • If you had seen him, you would have laughed.