Question

If she had influence on him........................

• A. She can control him
• B. She could have controlled him
• C. She had controlled him
• D. She could control him

Answer 1

Answer:

D. She could control him

Conditional Sentences in English Grammar

Understanding Third Conditional Sentences

• The structure 'If [past perfect]..., [modal perfect]...' is used to express hypothetical situations in the past that did not happen and their imagined results.
• In the given example, 'If she had influence on him' sets up a past hypothetical condition. The verb 'had' is in the past perfect tense, indicating a condition that was not met.
• The consequent clause, 'She could control him', uses the modal verb 'could' followed by the base form of the verb 'control'. This 'modal perfect' structure (could + have + past participle) would typically be used if the result was also a hypothetical past event. However, in this specific construction, 'could control' implies the *potential* or *ability* to control him had the condition been true.
• Exam Focus: Questions often test the correct form of the verb in both clauses of a third conditional sentence. Remember: If + Past Perfect, ... would/could/might + have + Past Participle is the most common form for hypothetical past results. However, slight variations like the one presented are also tested to assess understanding of modal verbs expressing possibility or ability in hypothetical past scenarios.
• Common Errors to Avoid:
  • Using simple past in the 'if' clause (e.g., 'If she influenced him...').
  • Using simple present or past in the result clause (e.g., 'She controls him' or 'She controlled him').
• Alternative Structures: While the third conditional focuses on unreal past situations, other conditional types exist:
  • First Conditional: If + Present Simple, ... will + Base Verb (real future possibility).
  • Second Conditional: If + Past Simple, ... would + Base Verb (unreal present/future possibility).
• The sentence implies that because she *did not* have influence on him in the past, she *could not* control him. The hypothetical situation is presented to highlight the actual lack of control.