English grammar
Would have + past participle (imagining a different past)
Say what would have been better or different, using would have + past participle.
From the scene It would have been better
In short
To imagine a different past, use would have + past participle: it would have been better. In speech: I'd have.
Your turn
Which one goes with spoken: I'd have + participle?
Options: in your shoes, I'd have made a sign · it would have been better to hide it · what would the sign have said?
Show answer
spoken: I'd have + participle → in your shoes, I'd have made a sign
How it works
To imagine how the past could have been different, use would have + past participle.
Good to know
It would have been better, nobody would have eaten it. In speech it's often I'd have. Watch the irregular participles: made, said, chosen, eaten.
would have + participle it would have been better to hide it
Tomás
No. It would have been better to hide it earlier.
No. Habría sido mejor esconderla antes.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No. (blank) earlier.
Options: In your shoes, I'd have made a sign · What would the sign have said · It would have been better to hide it
Show answer
Tomás
No. It would have been better to hide it earlier.
No. Habría sido mejor esconderla antes.
spoken: I'd have + participle in your shoes, I'd have made a sign
Nuria
In your shoes, I'd have made a sign.
Yo en tu lugar habría hecho un cartel.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: In your shoes, I'd have made a sign · It would have been better to hide it · What would the sign have said
Show answer
Nuria
In your shoes, I'd have made a sign.
Yo en tu lugar habría hecho un cartel.
question: what would … have + participle? what would the sign have said?
Tomás
A sign? And what would the sign have said?
¿Un cartel? ¿Y qué habría dicho el cartel?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
A sign? And (blank)?
Options: I'd have made a sign · what would the sign have said · it would have been better to hide it
Show answer
Tomás
A sign? And what would the sign have said?
¿Un cartel? ¿Y qué habría dicho el cartel?
irregular participles made, said, chosen, eaten
Tomás
Yes. I would have chosen a safer spot.
Sí. Habría elegido un sitio más seguro.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes. I would have (blank) a safer spot.
Options: in your shoes · chosen · it would have been better to hide it
Show answer
Tomás
Yes. I would have chosen a safer spot.
Sí. Habría elegido un sitio más seguro.
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
| would have + participle | it would have been better to hide it |
|---|---|
| spoken: I'd have + participle | in your shoes, I'd have made a sign |
| question: what would … have + participle? | what would the sign have said? |
| irregular participles | made, said, chosen, eaten |
More lines from the story
- TomásAgain! The extras have eaten all my fruit.¡Otra vez! Los extras se han comido toda mi fruta.
- Nuria"Prop fruit. Not for eating.""Fruta de atrezo. No se come."