tense

[jesson cui]

If you had possessed a modicum of sense, you would have paused to think before accepting such a dangerous job.

anyone can explain the tense of this sentence for me? many thanks.

[banderas]

Originally Posted by jesson cui

If you had possessed a modicum of sense, you would have paused to think before accepting such a dangerous job.

anyone can explain the tense of this sentence for me? many thanks.

Modicum of sense=A small amount of good judgment, especially when it is based on practical ideas or understanding.
Think of a police officer whose father was killed in action for example. And now his son accepted such a dangerous job. If he had had a small amount of good judgement he would have considered accepting it very carefully.

[Barb_D]

It's a conditional, the same as If you had studied, you would have passed the test.

[rj1948]

present tense though past form is used(if clause third type)

[jesson cui]

i think i have it. thank everyone for your post.