To talk about how a past event could have ended differently, use the third conditional.
Like in English, it combines an "if" clause (the condition) with a main clause (the imagined result):
- si
- plus-que-parfait (if someone had done something)
- conditionnel passé (they would have done something else)
| If the lawyer had prepared the file, he would not have lost the trial. | Si l'avocat avait préparé le dossier, il n'aurait pas perdu le procès. |
| If she had testified, the jury would have acquitted the suspect. | Si elle avait témoigné, le jury aurait acquitté le suspect. |
When si is followed by il or ils, it contracts to s'il or s'ils.
| If they had convicted him, the sentence would have been terrible. | S'ils l'avaient condamné, la peine aurait été terrible. |
Reversing the Clauses
You can also place the result before the condition. When the sentence starts with the result, drop the comma.
| They would have acquitted him if the witness had spoken. | Ils l'auraient acquitté si le témoin avait parlé. |
| He would have testified if the jury had been more patient. | Il aurait témoigné si le jury avait été plus patient. |
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