Back to Grammar
B1 · Grammaire8 / 12
Le conditionnel passé
Would have done — for past regrets, hypotheticals, and unconfirmed information
What you’ll learn
The conditionnel passé (past conditional) expresses what WOULD HAVE happened. It's the tense of 'if only': 'I would have come', 'she would have loved it'. It's also used in journalism for unconfirmed information: 'The president would have signed the deal.'
Explanation
Formation
Avoir or être in the CONDITIONNEL PRÉSENT + past participle. Same être/avoir rules as passé composé.
| Subject | with avoir (manger) | with être (partir) |
|---|---|---|
| je | aurais mangé | serais parti(e) |
| tu | aurais mangé | serais parti(e) |
| il/elle | aurait mangé | serait parti(e) |
| nous | aurions mangé | serions parti(e)s |
| vous | auriez mangé | seriez parti(e)(s) |
| ils/elles | auraient mangé | seraient parti(e)s |
Uses
Three main uses: past regrets/wishes, unreal past conditions (with si + PQP), and unconfirmed news.
- J'aurais aimé voyager plus. — I would have liked to travel more. (regret)
- Si j'avais su, je serais venu. — If I had known, I would have come. (unreal past)
- Le ministre aurait démissionné. — The minister reportedly resigned. (unconfirmed)
In journalism, the conditionnel passé signals 'according to sources but not confirmed'. You'll see it constantly in news headlines.
Practice · 4 exercises
1
Si j'avais su, je ___ venu. (être — conditionnel passé)
2
J'___ aimé apprendre le piano. (avoir — conditionnel passé)
3
In journalism, the conditionnel passé signals…
4
Express a past regret
Je n'ai pas voyagé. →