The Third Conditional

Talk about imaginary situations in the past.

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The Structure

If + Past Perfect, ...
would have + Past Participle (V3)

  • The "If" Clause (Condition): Uses the Past Perfect tense (had + V3). It describes something that didn't happen in the past.
  • The Main Clause (Result): Uses "would have" (or could have, might have) + the Past Participle. It describes the imaginary result.
Example 1

If I had known, I would have gone to the party.

(But I didn't know, so I didn't go.)

Example 2 (Inverted)

She would have passed if she had studied harder.

Key Tip

Never use "would have" in the "if" clause!
If I would have known... ❌
If I had known... ✅

Negatives

Use hadn't in the if-clause and wouldn't have in the main clause.

Structure

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

  • If it hadn't rained, we would have played.
  • If I had been late, I wouldn't have got the job.

Questions

Change the order in the Main Clause to make a question.

Structure

(Wh-) + Would + Subject + have + V3 ... if ... ?

  • Would you have come if I had invited you?
  • What would she have done if she had failed?

Position of "If" & Punctuation

You can start the sentence with the If-clause or the Main clause. The meaning is exactly the same, but the punctuation changes.

Option 1

"If" at the beginning

When the sentence starts with "If", use a comma to separate the clauses.

If I had known, I would have gone.

Option 2

"If" in the middle

When "if" is in the middle, do NOT use a comma.

I would have gone if I had known. (No comma!)

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