si + plus-que-parfait → conditionnel passé (past unreal)

si + plus-que-parfait → conditionnel passé (past unreal) means “Unreal past / regret: if + pluperfect, then past conditional”. To express regret about the past or something that did not happen, use si + pluperfect in the if-clause and the past conditional in the main clause: Si j'avais su, je serais venu (If I had known, I would have come). Formation: Si + plus-que-parfait, + conditionnel passé

Unreal past / regret: if + pluperfect, then past conditional

B2

Formation

Si + plus-que-parfait, + conditionnel passé

Explanation

To express regret about the past or something that did not happen, use si + pluperfect in the if-clause and the past conditional in the main clause: Si j'avais su, je serais venu (If I had known, I would have come). It describes a past that is now impossible to change.

Examples

Si j'avais su, je serais venu plus tôt.
If I had known, I would have come earlier.
Si tu avais étudié, tu aurais réussi l'examen.
If you had studied, you would have passed the exam.

FAQ

si + plus-que-parfait → conditionnel passé (past unreal) — what does it mean and how is it used?

Unreal past / regret: if + pluperfect, then past conditional. To express regret about the past or something that did not happen, use si + pluperfect in the if-clause and the past conditional in the main clause: Si j'avais su, je serais venu (If I had known, I would have come). It describes a past that is now impossible to change.

si + plus-que-parfait → conditionnel passé (past unreal) — how do you form it?

Si + plus-que-parfait, + conditionnel passé

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