If she had studied harder, she would have passed the test.

[Tait-ka]

1. If she had studied harder, she would have passed the test.
2. If she had studied harder, she would pass the test.
3. If she studied harder, she would have passed the test.

The examples are made by me.

It is requested you to please explain the difference in meaning between the three of them.

 

[5jj]

You wrote the sentences. Why don't you try to explain what you think the differences are? We will comment on your attempts.

 

[Tait-ka]

You wrote the sentences. Why don't you try to explain what you think the differences are? We will comment on your attempts.

Ok.

1. If she had studied harder IN THE PAST, she would have passed the test IN THE PAST. (She didn't study harder, she failed. ----> both actions are in the past.)

2. If she had studied harder IN THE PAST, she would pass the test NOW. (She didn't study harder, so she has failed now. ----> action of study harder is in the past, while fail action is in the present.)

3. If she studied harder, she would have passed the test.

This is my understanding of the sentences 1 and 2. I don't understand the meaning of the sentence 3.

 

[5jj]

1. Correct.
2. Close. The speaker asserts certainty about a future failure to pass.
3. She does not study hard in general. She failed the test - in the past.

 

[Tait-ka]

1. Correct.
2. Close. The speaker asserts certainty about a future failure to pass.
3. She does not study hard in general. She failed the test - in the past.

Thanks.

 

[Tait-ka]

2. The speaker asserts certainty about a future failure to pass.
3. She does not study hard in general. She failed the test - in the past.

Can you please explain more?

 

[emsr2d2]

Can you please explain more?

What more do you need? 5jj's sentences are clear (and 24 hours ago you posted "Thanks" to that post, indicating that you understood and appreciated it).

 

[Tait-ka]

What more do you need? 5jj's sentences are clear (and 24 hours ago you posted "Thanks" to that post, indicating that you understood and appreciated it).

I understood but I am not sure whether I have understood correctly.

Please check this dialogue I made and tell me if the sentence works here.

Tom: Did you see Jane's study schedule last month?
Maria: Yes - she barely opened a book.
Noah: That doesn’t sound good for the exam next week.
Emma: If she had studied harder, she would pass the test. (She didn’t, so she won’t.)
Noah: I see - you’re sure she’s going to fail.

 

[emsr2d2]

Your dialogue makes sense so I believe you've understood the explanation correctly. Note that most native BrE speakers probably wouldn't use "she would pass the test" in that context, mainly because it sounds too certain. We'd hedge our bets.

If she'd studied harder, she'd have/stand more chance of passing the test [next week].

 

[Tarheel]

If she has already taken the test and failed you could say:

If he she had studied harder she would have passed the test

The speaker is expressing confidence that if she have made the extra effort she would have succeeded (passed the test).

What you are saying in general is that if she studies harder she will get better results. In other words, if she spends her time studying rather than doing something else (listening to music, for example) chances are that she will do better on the exam. Also, you can be sure that not studying will not improve her chances of doing well on the exam.