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Si cette hypothèse était logique, les chercheurs auraient confirmé le résultat.

Si cette hypothèse était logique, les chercheurs auraient confirmé le résultat.
If this hypothesis were logical, the researchers would have confirmed the result.
From Lesson 295:Mixed conditionals: present to past·French

Questions & Answers about Si cette hypothèse était logique, les chercheurs auraient confirmé le résultat.

Why do we use the imparfait (était) in the first half but the past conditional (auraient confirmé) in the second half?
This is a mixed conditional. The imparfait (était) sets up a condition that applies to the present or is generally true ("if the hypothesis were logical" right now). The past conditional (auraient confirmé) shows a result that would have already happened in the past ("they would have confirmed it" by now). Usually, si + imparfait pairs with the present conditional, but here we are mixing timeframes to show a present condition with a past result.
Since hypothèse starts with a mute 'h', why don't we use cet?
Because hypothèse is a feminine noun. The demonstrative adjective cet is only used for masculine nouns starting with a vowel or mute 'h' (like cet homme or cet arbre). For feminine nouns, you always use cette, regardless of whether the noun starts with a consonant or a vowel.
How is the past conditional auraient confirmé formed in this sentence?
You form the past conditional by putting the auxiliary verb (either avoir or être) into the present conditional, then adding the past participle of your main verb. Since confirmer uses the auxiliary avoir, we combine auraient (they would have) with confirmé (confirmed).
Does chercheurs just mean "scientists"?
It specifically means "researchers." It comes from the verb chercher (to look for / to search). While scientifiques (scientists) is a broader term, chercheurs highlights the active work of investigating, which fits perfectly with testing an hypothèse.

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