Question 1

Why do we use the imperfect (étions) in the first half but the past conditional (aurions investi) in the second half?

Accepted Answer

This is a mixed conditional. The imperfect étions describes a present, ongoing state (we are not optimistic people in general). The past conditional aurions investi describes a hypothetical result in the past (we didn't invest back then). It shows how a present personality trait affected a past decision.

Question 2

What is the difference in meaning between Si nous étions optimistes and Si nous avions été optimistes?

Accepted Answer

Si nous avions été optimistes means 'If we had been optimistic' at that specific moment in the past. By using the imperfect Si nous étions optimistes, the sentence implies that lacking optimism is an ongoing, current characteristic of 'us', not just a temporary feeling we had back then.

Question 3

Why doesn't the past participle investi agree with nous (e.g., investis)?

Accepted Answer

Because the auxiliary verb here is avoir (aurions). In French compound tenses formed with avoir, the past participle only agrees with a direct object if it comes before the verb. Here, there is no direct object, so investi stays in its default form.

Question 4

Why do we use dans after investi here? Could we say investi ce projet?

Accepted Answer

In French, you use investir dans when talking about the thing or sector you are putting money into. You only use investir directly (without a preposition) for the actual amount of money or time you are investing, for example: Nous aurions investi beaucoup d'argent.

Si nous étions optimistes, nous aurions investi dans ce projet.

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