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Pattern:
The verb in the
is in the past perfect tense (had
past participle) and the
verb in the main clause is would
perfect infinitive.
If he had been at home, he would have picked up the phone. (He was at some
other place then).
If she hadn't overslept, she would have come to work on time. (She didn't
come to work on
If you'd spoken politely, nobody would have got outraged. (You didn't speak
politely).
They can put had first and omit if. But this is very formal construction.
Had the Minister known all the facts, he would have acted differently.
Had you seen the doctor long ago, you wouldn't have had such problems now.
Other conditional expressions
a) unless
affirmative verb is similar to if+ negative
Unless you report to the police, your neighbors will be bothering you by
yelling every night.
Unless he gives up smoking, she says she won't marry him.
b) otherwise means "if we don't do
if he didn't do
if she hadn't done
this".
He must take the pills. Otherwise he won't get well.
You had to be early. Otherwise you didn't get a seat.
We took a taxi. Otherwise we'd have missed the plane.
c) provided
"on condition that" and emphasizes a restriction:
You can park here, provided you leave before six.
You can pay by your credit card, provided it isn't overdue.
d) after
wish and if only.
Usually regret is implied in this case.
If only I had listened to what my Mom said
If only he hadn't bought that car!
I wish I had never seen
I wish I had gone to that interview!
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