grammar · neutral
If + past perfect continuous, would have + past participle
Used to describe a continuous past situation (an action that had been happening before a past point) and its hypothetical past result.
Examples
“If she had been practising more, she would have passed the concert audition.”
“If they had been saving regularly, they would have had enough for a deposit.”
“If I had been living closer to work, I would have accepted the job.”
Band 8 sentence
“If the team had been training together for longer, they would have achieved much better coordination in the match.”
Collocations
- had been + V-ing
- would have + past participle
Common mistakes
If she had been practised more, she would have passed.→If she had been practising more, she would have passed.
If they had saved regularly, they would have had enough for a deposit.→If they had been saving regularly, they would have had enough for a deposit.
Say it for a higher band
5If + past perfect, would have + past participle→6If + past perfect progressive, would have + past participle→7+If + past perfect continuous, would have + past participle
Synonyms
If + past perfect, would have + past participle (but implying duration)
Easily confused
If + past perfect, would have + past participle
“If she had practised more, she would have passed the exam.”
Related words
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In Conditionals
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