When is Conditional Perfect Tense Used?

Question

I saw conditional perfect tense under the conjugation list, but I had no idea when it was used. It didn't make much sense to me how you can make something conditional perfect. Can anyone help me with this? (Any examples would be nice with the English translation along with it )

Answer 1

In grammar "perfect" merely means action completed.

The conditional perfect uses the conditional tense of "haber" (habría habrías, ect) plus your past participle.

It's just like the English: "I would have worked today, but had a bad cold."

(Yo) habría trabajado hoy, pero tenía un resfriado malo.

I would have gone on wondering, but you were able to help! :) - CarterTF, Apr 10, 2017

Dani: you were afraid of a bad cold :) (typo) - DilKen, Apr 10, 2017

Arrrrgghhh! Tenía!!! Gracias. :) - Daniela2041, Apr 10, 2017

Small typo, Dani ...temia. I'm sure you meant to say 'tenía' ;) - FELIZ77, Apr 10, 2017

De nada, Dani :) - FELIZ77, Apr 10, 2017

Answer 2

Here are two good articles to further your understanding:

Past Perfect Subjunctive

Conditional Perfect

If I had known about the party, I surely would have gone.

Si hubiera sabido de la fiesta, habría ido de seguro.

Now you're getting complicated introducing the imperfect subjunctive "If clause, contrary to fact. " Sheesh!! - Daniela2041, Apr 10, 2017

Dani: for some reason this was one topic that was very easy for me to learn...maybe because it is so similar to the way we do it in English. :) - DilKen, Apr 10, 2017