We use this type of the conditional after something occurred or didn't occur and we like to imagine the result if the opposite had happened. Therefore, it is an impossible condition because what is done is done and it is impossible to be undone. You'll easily figure out that the condition cannot be fulfilled because the sentences are in the past. However we just want to imagine the result if the condition was different. for instance,
[You didn't invite someone as a result he didn't come]
If you had invited him, he would have come. CONDITION RESULT
..but in reality what happened is that he didn't come because you didn't invite him. We use the if-clause to imagine a result if the condition had been different. But in fact our result is impossible because the condition was not fulfilled.
As you can see, it is an impossible idea because we know the condition was not fulfilled, but we still imagine the result if 'you had invited him what would have happened '
Conditional type 3 is used to serve various intentions:
If I had been there, I would have helped her.(But I didn't help her because I wasn't there!)
If I had worked hard, I would have succeeded. (But unfortunately I didn't work hard that's why I didn't succeed)
If I had had enough money, I would have bought that luxurious car.
- I wish I had bought that luxurious car.
- If only I had had enough money.
But in fact I didn't buy the luxurious car because I didn't have enough money.
FORM
If you had left earlier, you would havecaught the bus
If + subject + past perfect, subject + would have + verb in the past participle (v3)
On Exam Papers
You'll generally be asked to rewrite a given sentence in the conditional. So, pay much attention to what follows:
The sentence given will be in the past, so your if-clause will be in the past perfect.
If the original sentence is negative, put it in the affirmative and vise versa.
Examples
You did not leave early, so you missed the bus.
If you had left early, you would not have missed the bus.
He made mistakes, so he did not get a full mark.
If he had not made mistakes, he would have had a full mark.
Rewrite these sentences as indicated
I didn't have a bicycle so I bought one.
If
The boy didn't do his homework, that's why the teacher punished him.
If
I didn't arrive to school on time because I woke up late.
If
Leila forgot the tickets at home, as a result we couldn't see the film.
If
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