The Conditional perfect is an English grammatical tense. It indicates an action that someone would have done in the past. It describes what one would have done differently or how something could have occurred differently if the events had been different.
In this article, we cover the conditional perfect tense form and use.
Conditional Perfect Tense
Form
| would + have + past participle |
The modal “would” can be replaced with could, might, and should:
- could have done
- might have done
- should have done
Affirmative
I would have traveled around the world.
She would have helped him solve his problem.
They would have completed the project with your assistance.
He would have accepted the job offer if it came with a higher salary.
We would have reached the summit with the experienced guide.
Interrogative
Would you have traveled around the world?
Would she have helped him solve his problems?
Would they have completed the project without your assistance?
Would he have accepted the job offer if it came with a higher salary?
Would we have reached the summit without the experienced guide?
Negative
I wouldn’t have stayed in my hometown.
She wouldn’t have helped him solve his problems.
They would not have completed the project with your assistance.
He would not have accepted the job offer if it came with a higher salary.
We would not have reached the summit with the experienced guide.
Use
- Conditional perfect is used for something that might have happened in the past.
- It is used in the main clause of conditional sentences type III.
Examples
- “She would have met him if she had come earlier.”
- “You could have earned more money if you had worked harder.”
- “If he had studied harder, he would have passed the test.”
- “If we had run faster, we could have arrived on time.”
The conditional sentences type III structure is as follows:
| If + past perfect…, + conditional perfect (would + have + past participle) |
| Conditional perfect (would + have + past participle) + if + past perfect |
Below is a table conjugating the verb “work” in the conditional perfect tense for all persons in affirmative, interrogative, and negative forms:
| Person | Affirmative | Interrogative | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Singular | I would have worked | Would I have worked? | I wouldn’t have worked |
| 2nd Singular | You would have worked | Would you have worked? | You wouldn’t have worked |
| 3rd Singular | He/She/It would have worked | Would he/she/it have worked? | He/She/It wouldn’t have worked |
| 1st Plural | We would have worked | Would we have worked? | We wouldn’t have worked |
| 2nd Plural | You would have worked | Would you have worked? | You wouldn’t have worked |
| 3rd Plural | They would have worked | Would they have worked? | They wouldn’t have worked |
Example Sentences With The Conditional Perfect Tense
Here are 15 example sentences using the conditional perfect tense:
- If I had known about the traffic, I would have taken a different route.
- She would have become a doctor if she had pursued medicine in college.
- They would have booked a larger venue if they had anticipated a bigger turnout.
- If it had rained, we would have canceled the outdoor event.
- He would have met the deadline if his computer hadn’t crashed.
- We would have adopted a pet if our apartment allowed animals.
- If you had told me earlier, I would have saved you a seat at the concert.
- She would have baked a cake if she had found all the ingredients in the kitchen.
- If they had offered me the promotion, I would have accepted it gladly.
- We would have visited the museum if it had been open on Sundays.
- He would have repaired the car if he had the necessary tools.
- If I had seen your message, I would have replied immediately.
- They would have caught the train if they had left the house on time.
- If she had studied abroad, she would have learned a new language.
- We would have attended the party if we had received an invitation.
More about the perfect aspect in the English language here.
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