English grammar
Mixed conditional: if + past simple (a lasting trait) → would have + participle
Explain a past result by a permanent trait: if I weren't so…, I'd have….
From the scene If I weren't so proud…
In short
Lasting trait, past result: if + past simple, then would have + participle: if I weren't so proud, I'd have written.
Your turn
Which one goes with you are stubborn → so you didn't go?
Options: if she weren't so proud, she'd have answered me · if you weren't so stubborn, you'd have gone to find her · if I weren't so proud, I'd have written her a hundred more
Show answer
you are stubborn → so you didn't go → if you weren't so stubborn, you'd have gone to find her
How it works
When a permanent trait or present situation explains what did or didn't happen in the past, put the trait in the if-part of the second conditional (if I weren't so proud, but I am) and the past result in would have + participle (I'd have written).
Good to know
In everyday speech, wasn't is also fine after I / she.
I am proud → so I didn't write if I weren't so proud, I'd have written her a hundred more
Elena
If I weren't so proud, I'd have written her a hundred more.
Si no fuera tan orgullosa, le habría escrito cien más.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: If she weren't so proud, she'd have answered me · If I weren't so proud, I'd have written her a hundred more · If you weren't so stubborn, you'd have gone to find her
Show answer
Elena
If I weren't so proud, I'd have written her a hundred more.
Si no fuera tan orgullosa, le habría escrito cien más.
you are stubborn → so you didn't go if you weren't so stubborn, you'd have gone to find her
Javi
A message from Grandma: if you weren't so stubborn, you'd have gone to find her.
Mensaje de la abuela: si usted no fuera tan cabezota, habría ido a buscarla.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
A message from Grandma: (blank).
Options: if she weren't so proud, she'd have answered me · if you weren't so stubborn, you'd have gone to find her · if I weren't so proud, I'd have written her a hundred more
Show answer
Javi
A message from Grandma: if you weren't so stubborn, you'd have gone to find her.
Mensaje de la abuela: si usted no fuera tan cabezota, habría ido a buscarla.
she is proud → so she didn't answer if she weren't so proud, she'd have answered me
Elena
Me, stubborn? If she weren't so proud, she'd have answered me!
¿Cabezota yo? ¡Si ella no fuera tan orgullosa, me habría contestado!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Me, stubborn? (blank)!
Options: I'd have written her a hundred more · If you weren't so stubborn, you'd have gone to find her · If she weren't so proud, she'd have answered me
Show answer
Elena
Me, stubborn? If she weren't so proud, she'd have answered me!
¿Cabezota yo? ¡Si ella no fuera tan orgullosa, me habría contestado!
she isn't brave → so she hasn't come out if she were brave, she'd have come out by now
Elena
Tell her that if she were brave, she'd have come out by now.
Dile que si fuera valiente, ya habría salido.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Tell her that (blank).
Options: if she were brave, she'd have come out by now · if I weren't so proud, I'd have written her a hundred more · if you weren't so stubborn, you'd have gone to find her
Show answer
Elena
Tell her that if she were brave, she'd have come out by now.
Dile que si fuera valiente, ya habría salido.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| I am proud → so I didn't write | if I weren't so proud, I'd have written her a hundred more |
|---|---|
| you are stubborn → so you didn't go | if you weren't so stubborn, you'd have gone to find her |
| she is proud → so she didn't answer | if she weren't so proud, she'd have answered me |
| she isn't brave → so she hasn't come out | if she were brave, she'd have come out by now |
More lines from the story
- ElenaI asked her about my letters. I wrote her three and she never answered one.Le pregunté por mis cartas. Le escribí tres y no me contestó ninguna.
- JaviShe says you should go to her: she's the one turning ninety.Dice que vaya usted, que la que cumple noventa es ella.