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Dileepa Posted 7 years ago
Grammar

Third conditionals with talking about the abilities

I know how to construct third conditionals and mixed conditionals. However, recently I come across a situation in which I had to talk about what if could have done something in the past, what I would have done. In actual fact, I cannot ask this question with precise grammar. Simply, what I need to ask is how can I talk about things that I could have done in the past and what would be the possible results in the past. I mean, when we talk about past hypothetical situations, we often use "if + sb + had + past participle". But the thing is how can I tell about abilities I mean is it feasible to say "if I could had completed it".


Is following sentence is correct?

If I could had completed the task in advance, I would have been free yesterday.

  

Top answer

dileepa If I could had have completed the task in advance, I would have been free yesterday. This is understandable, but to me its technical correctness seems questionable. I think it is better to say: If I had been able to complete the task in advance, I would have been free yesterday.

  • dileepa If I could had have completed the task in advance, I would have been free yesterday.
  • This is understandable, but to me its technical correctness seems questionable.
  • I think it is better to say: If I had been able to complete the task in advance, I would have been free yesterday.
  • I'm assuming you mean that actually you couldn't complete it.
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1 Answers
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dileepaIf I could had have completed the task in advance, I would have been free yesterday.

This is understandable, but to me its technical correctness seems questionable. I think it is better to say:

If I had been able to complete the task in advance, I would have been free yesterday.

I'm as

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