Tercer condicional (if + had done)

El tercer condicional imagina un pasado distinto: cosas que no pasaron y sus consecuencias. Se usa mucho para lamentos. Forma: if + past perfect, would have + participio (si hubiera…, habría…).

Notas

• could have / might have para posibilidad: If you’d asked, I could have helped.
• En el habla: I’d have = I would have; If I’d known = If I had known.

Ejemplos

• If I had studied more, I would have passed the exam.Si hubiera estudiado más, habría aprobado el examen.
• She wouldn’t have got the job if she hadn’t applied early.No habría conseguido el trabajo si no lo hubiera solicitado pronto.
• What would you have done if you had been there?¿Qué habrías hecho tú si hubieras estado allí?
• If you had told me, I could have helped.Si me lo hubieras dicho, te podría haber ayudado.
• If it hadn’t rained, we would have gone hiking.Si no hubiera llovido, habríamos ido de excursión.

Errores comunes

• ✗ If I had known, I will have come.✓ If I had known, I would have come.En la parte principal del tercer condicional va would have y no will have.
• ✗ If I knew, I would have come.✓ If I had known, I would have come.Para el pasado irreal el if lleva past perfect, y no past simple.
• ✗ If I had known, I would come.✓ If I had known, I would have come.La consecuencia en el pasado necesita would have + participio.
• ✗ If she had studied, she would passed.✓ If she had studied, she would have passed.Would va seguido de have + participio, y no del participio solo.
• ✗ If I had went there, I would have seen it.✓ If I had gone there, I would have seen it.Tras had se usa el participio gone y no went.