Conditional Type 3 (Third Conditional)

This is the regret conditional. It's too late to change anything. You're just imagining how things could have gone.

When do we use it?

1. Imagining a different past

Each sentence tells you, quietly, what really happened.

It didn't happen

සිංහලෙන්

• If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
• If I'd known you were coming, I'd have made a cake.
• I would have been happy if you had called me on my birthday.
• If we had checked Google Maps, we wouldn't have got lost.

2. Regrets and blame

Regrets

සිංහලෙන්

• If you'd told me, I'd have helped you.
• If I'd bought that land in 2010, I'd have made a fortune.

could have, might have

Use could have or might have instead of would have when you're less sure.

Less sure

සිංහලෙන්

• If I'd studied harder, I might have passed.maybe
• You could have been on time if you'd caught the bus.possible

The 'd problem

Both had and would can be shortened to 'd. How do you know which is which?

would never goes in the if part, and had have is never correct. So there's only one way to read each 'd.

Quick check

Tap an answer. Nothing is saved.

1. If we at six, we would have caught the train.

   had leftleftwould have left

2. If it hadn't rained, we to the beach.

   would have gonewould go

3. If you'd asked me, I'd have said yes. The second 'd means .

   hadwould

4. If I'd the road was closed, I'd have taken another route.

   knownknew

5. If he'd trained harder, he won the race.

   might havemight