Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
If he ____ earlier, we could have caught the express train.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer: had arrived
Explanation
• This sentence is an example of the third conditional, which expresses an unreal or impossible situation in the past and its hypothetical result.
• The structure of a third conditional sentence is: If + Past Perfect (had + V3), Subject + would/could/might + have + V3.
• Since the main clause uses could have caught, the conditional clause requires the past perfect verb form had arrived.
Quick Tip: Whenever you see would/could/should + have + V3 in the result clause of an 'if' sentence, pair it with had + V3 in the condition clause.