Conditionnel passé
French Conditional Perfect – Past Conditional
The French conditional perfect, or past conditional, is usually used just like the English conditional perfect: to express action that would have occurred if in the past circumstances had been different.
The conditional perfect is often used for the result clause in si clauses with the unmet condition in the past perfect:
Si je l’avais vu, je l’aurais acheté.
If I had seen it, I would have bought it.
Il serait venu si nous l’avions invité.
He would have come if we had invited him.
The conditional perfect can also be used in a sentence where the unmet condition is only implied:
À ta place, je l’aurais dit.
In your place, I would have said it.
Elles auraient dû acheter un plan.
They should have bought a map.
Use the conditional perfect to express an unrealized desire in the past:
J’aurais aimé te voir, mais j’ai dû travailler.
I would have liked to see you, but I had to work.
Nous aurions voulu manger, mais c’était trop tard.
We would have liked to eat, but it was too late.