Third Conditional
Let's study the
Structure:
If + Past Perfect, would have + past participle
Example:
If I had known, I would have helped.
(If I had known, I would have helped.)
- Here, the person didn't know and didn't help — it's a reflection on the past.
Other examples:
If they had studied harder, they would have passed the exam.
(If they had studied harder, they would have passed the exam. past.)
She wouldn’t have missed the train if she had left earlier.
(She wouldn’t have missed the train if she had left earlier.)
Note that this structure shows regret, criticism or analysis of possibilities that did not come to fruition.
Inverted form (more formal):
Had I known, I would have helped.
It is common in formal speeches and written texts.
Did you know??