0
Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Have or had?

"The story could've ended differently if someone would've been smarter than you."

Or

"The story could've ended differently if someone would had been smarter than you."

Which is correct?
  

Top answer

I believe it should be "have", but I just need a confirmation.

— Anonymous

  • I believe it should be "have", but I just need a confirmation.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
I believe it should be "have", but I just need a confirmation.
0
0
The story could have ended differently if someone had been smarter than you.
0
0
Can you please explain why? Is it because there is a rule about "if" and "would" ?
0
0
Anonymous Is it because there is a rule about "if" and "would" ?
In an if- clause, we generally do not use will or would. We use:

a present tense for a real future possibility: If he is smart ....
a past tense for a less real future or unreal present possibility: If he was/were smart ...
a past perfect for a
0

Related Questions