grammar · neutral
If + past simple, would have + past participle
Use past simple in the if-clause to talk about a present unreal condition that would have produced a different past result.
Examples
“If I were taller now, I would have become a pilot last year.”
“If she studied more these days, she would have passed the exam last semester.”
“If he were more confident now, he would have applied for that job earlier.”
Band 8 sentence
“If I were fresher now, I would have committed to that research project last year, but circumstances prevented me.”
Collocations
- would have + past participle
- past simple (if-clause)
Common mistakes
If + past perfect, would + V→If + past simple, would have + past participle
If + past simple, would + V→If + past simple, would have + past participle
If I had more time now, I had helped you.→If I had more time now, I would have helped you.
Say it for a higher band
5If + past simple, would + V→6If + past simple, might + V→7+If + past simple, would have + past participle
Easily confused
If + past simple, would + V
“If I had more money, I would buy a new laptop.”
Related words
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In Conditionals
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