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What does it mean when " would have " is used in if clause, according to the general form of the third conditional sentence - had + past participle is used with if clause . But in this sentence - " If I would have known it, I would have stayed at home. What's the implication in such sentences

Archit
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    Some people use would have instead of just past perfect had in if clauses. It's a variation and there's no difference in meaning. – John Lawler Jul 08 '20 at 14:31
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    In other words, I did not know it, so I did not stay home. If things were different, I would have acted differently. – Yosef Baskin Jul 08 '20 at 14:46
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    @JohnLawler In a nitpicky mood I would have said that "If I would have..." was incorrect, but I cannot deny that it is widely used. – DJClayworth Jul 08 '20 at 14:50
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    I agree with @DJClayworth; it's understandable but incorrect. – Tinfoil Hat Jul 08 '20 at 15:10
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    Given that your standard of "correctness" is not actual use by native speakers, what *is* your standard of what's correct in English? And why do you support it? – John Lawler Jul 08 '20 at 15:31
  • @JohnLawler I'm afraid I agree with Messrs Clayworth and Hat: If I would have known it, has an implied time clause at that time and this cannot sit with the present perfect. The simple past works. – Greybeard Jul 08 '20 at 19:58
  • If I would have known it is entirely grammatical. Some people might not like it, but that's style and personal choice. To me, it sounds natural, even if not the most common construction. – Jason Bassford Jul 08 '20 at 21:58

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In a comment, John Lawler wrote:

Some people use would have instead of just past perfect had in if clauses. It's a variation and there's no difference in meaning.

tchrist
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