Which sentences correctly express the conditional mood?

Question

If we had left earlier, we would have arrived on time.: Correct or Incorrect?
If Evan had called, we would make plans for later.: Correct or Incorrect?
If the rain had stopped, you could have gone to the park.: Correct or Incorrect?
If the flowers are blooming, they would have smelled sweet.: Correct or Incorrect?

Answer 1

Let's evaluate each sentence for correct use of the conditional mood:

1. If we had left earlier, we would have arrived on time.: Correct. This sentence correctly uses the past perfect tense ("had left") paired with "would have" to express a hypothetical situation in the past.

2. If Evan had called, we would make plans for later.: Incorrect. This mixes past perfect ("had called") with a present conditional ("would make"). It should be "would have made" to maintain consistency in expressing a hypothetical past scenario.

3. If the rain had stopped, you could have gone to the park.: Correct. This sentence correctly uses the past perfect ("had stopped") with "could have" to express a past hypothetical situation.

4. If the flowers are blooming, they would have smelled sweet.: Incorrect. This sentence incorrectly combines a present indicative ("are blooming") with a past conditional ("would have smelled"). It should be "would smell" to properly express a present condition leading to a present result.

In summary:

1. Correct
2. Incorrect
3. Correct
4. Incorrect