Conditional Inversion (Formal Style)

Had I known about the delay, I would have left earlier.

Notice

  • Had I known about the delay, I would have left earlier.
  • Were she to apply, she would almost certainly get the job.
  • Should you need any help, please don’t hesitate to ask.
  • Were it not for your support, I would have given up.

Rule

In formal or literary style, conditional sentences can drop ‘if’ and invert the subject and auxiliary instead: Had + subject + past participle (third conditional), Were + subject + to + base verb (hypothetical second conditional), Should + subject + base verb (first conditional, formal). This is common in formal writing, legal/business English, and literature.

Practice

  1. Rewrite formally: ‘If I had known, I would have told you.’
    Answer: Had I known, I would have told you.
  2. Rewrite formally: ‘If you should have any questions, contact us.’
    Answer: Should you have any questions, contact us.
  3. Rewrite formally: ‘If she were to resign, the company would struggle.’
    Answer: Were she to resign, the company would struggle.
  4. Correct the error: ‘Had I know, I would have come.’
    Answer: Had I known, I would have come.

Connect

Practise spotting errors in formal conditional inversion.

Try Error Correction →

CEFR: Writing — select a style appropriate to a formal reader.

Azizul Hakim
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