Sample Response
Everyday
What Ifs
Learn how to talk about regrets, missed chances, and alternative pasts like a true native speaker.
If I had run faster, I would’ve caught it.
I shouldn’t have bought that.
We could’ve gone somewhere else.
Warm-up Questions
Think of a time you made a silly mistake. What happened?
If you had learned English at a young age, would your life be different now?
Have you ever missed a really great opportunity in life?
The Golden Rule
The “Third Conditional” sounds terribly robotic if you say every single word. Native speakers always use contractions.
If I had known…
If I’d known…
I would have gone.
I would’ve gone.
(Sounds like: wood-uv)
You should have told me.
You should’ve told me.
(Sounds like: shood-uv)
We could have won.
We could’ve won.
(Sounds like: cood-uv)
If she had not gone…
If she hadn’t gone…
I would not have done it.
I wouldn’t have done it.
The Big Three
In daily life, we use these three patterns to talk about the past.
1. The Imagined Result
Would have
(Would’ve + V3)
Use this to say what you definitely planned to do, but something stopped you.
- • “I would’ve called you, but my phone died.”
- • “If I’d known you were in town, I would’ve visited you.”
2. The Missed Chance
Could have
(Could’ve + V3)
Use this to talk about a possibility that existed, but you didn’t do it.
- • “We could’ve gone to the beach, but we stayed home.”
- • “He could’ve died in that car crash!”
3. The Regret
Should have
(Should’ve + V3)
Use this when you made a mistake and wish you had done something differently.
- • “I’m so tired. I should’ve slept earlier.”
- • “You should’ve told me you needed help.”
Listen and Understand
Jessica, 29
Emily, 34
Make an Excuse Practice
Let’s Chat
If you had chosen a different major in college, what would you be doing now?
Think of a time you were very late. What should you have done differently?
Have you ever missed a flight or a train? What would have happened if you had caught it?
Have you ever bought something expensive and immediately regretted it?
What is the silliest mistake you made recently? What could you have done differently?
If you hadn’t met your best friend, how would your life be different today?
Podcast Session
Lesson Recap
Listen to a quick summary of today’s “What Ifs” lesson, featuring real-life examples and pronunciation tips.