We have sometimes heard people say:
If I would have been there, I would have helped you.
If I would have done my homework, I would be playing now.
If you would have seen him dance, you would have laughed!
etc.
These usages are grammatically wrong. Never say: If I would have [past participle]…
All the examples above refer to past unreal conditionals. That is, cases where things would have been different, had a particular condition been met.
The correct usage in such cases would be: If I had [past participle]…
If I had been there, I would have helped you.
If I had done my homework, I would be playing now.
If you had seen him dance, you would have laughed!
It is also correct to say:
Had I been there, I would have helped you.
Had I done my homework, I would be playing now.
Had you seen him dance, you would have laughed!
Tags: Grammar
Category: Common English errorsJoin us and receive learning content regularly via email.
