As per Wikipedia, conditional perfect and conditional perfect continuous are grammatical construction. In which, perfect aspects have been combined with conditional mood.
Conditional mood is the aspect of verb used to express in what condition something would happen. Something would have happened only if the condition is fulfilled in main clause.
If I had mastered english language (Condition in perfect past)
a) I would have cracked Toefl exam. (Conditional perfect for probable past outcome)
b) I would have opted for English literature.
c) I might have been teaching as professor.(Conditional perfect continuous)
d) I could have started english coaching.
e) I would have become better communicator.
1.If I had mastered english language, I would have cracked Toefl exam.
2.If I had mastered english language, I would have opted for English literature.
3.If I had mastered english language, I might have been teaching as professor.
4.If I had mastered english language, I could have started english coaching.
5.If I had mastered english language, I would have become better communicator.
Conditional perfect for Unrealistic past imagination
Both used to refer to unrealistic, counterfactual result as reaction to action mentioned in the perfect past as like, what would have happened, what would have been happening.
“If we had harvested rain water, we would not have faced water scarcity for pomegranate plants”.
Actually, nothing happened but would have been happened. It means there is only probable result in past for past hypothetical imagination.
Meaning of conditional perfect and conditional perfect continuous
Let’s construct the hidden meaning of conditional perfect and conditional perfect continuous in combination with past perfect.
If you express something unrealistic hypothetical and counterfactual result, as reaction to action mentioned in past perfect, it is known as conditional perfect.
In this grammatical construction, you need to locate two parts including perfect aspect and conditional perfect mood.
In the perfect or perfect continuous aspect, unrealistic past condition is expressed. Like, “if I had harvested rain water”, but, in reality it didn’t happen.
Secondly, perfect continuous or perfect conditional, is used for probable past result like, “I would have planted more pomegranate plants”.
“If + perfect past tense tense + conditional perfect or Conditional perfect continuous”. “Conditional perfect or Conditional perfect continuous + If + past perfect tense”.
Now, let’s read some useful examples of conditional sentences by conditional perfect and conditional perfect continuous.
Simple and Useful examples of conditional sentences by perfect and conditional perfect continuous.
If we had built our house before rainy season,
a) We might not have lost so much time searching rented house.
b) We would have been living with our grandparents.
c) We could have planted beautiful trees.
d) We would have harvested a lot of water.
1.If we had built our house before rainy season, we might not have lost so much time searching rented house.
2.If we had built our house before rainy season, we would have been living with our grandparents.
3.If we had built our house before rainy season, we could have planted beautiful trees.
4.If we had built our house before rainy season, we would have harvested a lot of water.
If I had joined stock market firm,
a) I would have learnt trading secrets.
b) I could have opened demat account much earlier.
c) I would definitely have become trading adviser.
1.If I had joined stock market firm, I would have learnt trading secrets.
2.If I had joined stock market firm, I could have opened demat account much earlier.
3.If I had joined stock market firm, I would definitely have become trading adviser.
If you had exercised regularly in last year,
a) You might have maintained fitness.
b) You could have been playing for national team.
c) You would not have suffered cardiac arrest.
1.If you had exercised regularly in last year, you might have maintained fitness.
2.If you had exercised regularly in last year, you could have been playing for national team.
3.If you had exercised regularly in last year, you would not have suffered cardiac arrest.
Zero, first, second, and third Conditional sentences
Hypothetical imagination and missed opportunity