The decline of standards in the pluperfect conditional

[Tech]

If I would have seen it, I would have told you.
NO NO NO NO NO
If I HAD seen it, I would have told you.

I blame the influence of Spanish on American English (the whole hubiera / habria confusion / melding).

[SoupDragon]

Have you no work to do...?

Personally, I'd blame declining standards in education though...

[SorenLorensen]

How about...

If I would of seen it, I would of told you ?

[policywonk]

Didn't know you were a pedant Tech.

[WanderingTrolley]

Pedantry is essential to techantry imo.

[TigerFeet]

Too long in the shed methinks

Might be time to let him out for some air

[Threadie]

That's why the best response to pedantry is often 'Well, technically speaking you are right.'

[Tech]

Soupy, I have so much work to do that I can't face doing any of it. PW, oh yes...... don't even get me started on standards (lack of) among the MNHQ shower.

[SoupDragon]

I know that feeling...

[SoupDragon]

[branflake81]

It's correct in American English to say "if I would have seen it", I think you have them to blame

[Eliza2]

Tech--this annoys me INTENSELY.

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

Are you sure it's called the pluperfect conditional? [worried]
Thing is, it looks like a pluperfect because it's 'had', but surely its just a past conditional?

[lucy5]

I know it as the third conditional.

[MrsBadger]

I would have told you if I'd seen it...

[fluffymummy]

Had I had the time to read this thread, I would have remembered how to construct a pluperfect conditional clause correctly. Sadly, I'm now 4 days overdue and can no longer parse a potato...

[kiskidee]

"I blame the influence of Spanish on American English (the whole hubiera / habria confusion / melding). "

I speak Spanish and was taught Grammar using American text books.

I have never ever come across a construction like you have above, Tech.

I blame it on the Brits abandoning the teaching of grammar a generation ago.

[JJMumsnet]

[Tech]

On Spanish, I meant people saying e.g. "Si le hubiera visto, se lo hubiera dicho"
instead of "Si le hubiera visto, se lo habria dicho"

Apologies for lack of accents, but you get the idea. I'm sure it wouldn't have been in a grammar book, as it's incorrect (as I understand it) in Spanish as well, but it is very commonly heard.

[marina]

If I had seen your post earlier I would have washed out your mouth with virtual soap Soren
Would that I had some with me now!

[kiskidee]

"It's correct in American English to say "if I would have seen it", I think you have them to blame "

I take it you studied English in America?

[Quattrocento]

at Fluffy

[Blu]

But would it be correct to say:

If I could have seen it, I would have told you.

[Tech]

That's not quite the same meaning Blu. Would be better as "If I had been able to see it..."

"If I could have seen it" means something more akin to "If I'd had the opportunity to see it" rather than "If I had been able to see it".

I think.

[sasquatch]

I thought there wasn't a pluperfect tense in English.

I know it as past perfect, third conditional.