THE PAST CONDITIONAL

A past conditional expresses a possibility in the past which DID NOT ACTUALLY TAKE PLACE.  In the past condi­tional, the if clause verb is in a past perfect tense, and the then clause verb takes the past conditional (or a perfect modal).

 

Note:   Normally the past conditional is formed with would have + verb,

                        although the other perfect modals may be used to lend nuance.

                        (could have... suggests potential ability; might have suggests a

                        lesser probability).

 

Past conditional examples:

IF clause (past perfect tense)

THEN clause (past conditional)

If I had known it was your birthday,

I would have bought you a present.

 

(but I didn't know, so I didn't buy a present...)

If he hadn't turned quickly,

he would have hit the man.

 

(but I did turn, so I didn't hit him)

If you had been listening,

you would have heard the announcement.

 

(but you weren't listening, so you didn't hear it)

If it had been any colder,

I might have died.

 

(but it wasn't colder, so I didn't die)

If I had had more money,

I could have stayed longer.

 

(but I didn't have any more money, so I couldn't stay longer)

 

 

EXERCISE - PAST CONDITIONAL

Conjugate the verbs in parentheses.  Indicate whether the sentence consti­tutes a real (R) conditional, an imaginary (I) conditional, or a past (P) conditional.

 

1.

If he had looked harder, he                    the treasure.

(find)

P

2.

We won't arrive on time if we                to eat.

(stop)

 

3.

The fire probably wouldn't have happened if they

                 the proper precautions.

(take)

 

4.

It                  nice if you came to the reunion.

(be)

 

5.

We could have warned them if their radio                    .

(work)

 

6.

If you                me earlier, I would have said yes, but now it's too late.

(ask)