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Consider this sentence:

If you asked me this question some decades ago, I might answer “Yes or perhaps”

I guess it's wrong and the correct must be:

if you would have asked me this question some decades ago, I might have answered “Yes or perhaps”

What about:

Had you asked me this question some decades ago, I might have answered “Yes or perhaps”

It's about a situation that didn't happen in the past and now one express possibilities. Which ones are correct and why?

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    If you had [whatever], I might have answered: past time. If + would is usually not right. Obviously, then, the question is your third sentence.
    – Lambie
    Dec 4, 2021 at 19:36

1 Answer 1

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The last construction seems to be okay (one that has used the 3rd conditional):

[If you had /Had you] asked me this question some decades ago, I [would/could/might] have answered.

PS: I assume that “Yes or perhaps” is not any part of your example-sentences.

"It's about a situation that didn't happen in the past and now one express possibilities. Am I right?" --Yes, it often expresses a feeling of regret of the speaker.

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  • It can be used to express regret but it may also express growth or a change of opinion.
    – EllieK
    Sep 16, 2022 at 12:44

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