C'eût (en. It would have)

sœt

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

Used to express a possibility or suggestion that did not take place.

If you had been there, it would have been different.

Si tu avais été là, cela c'eût été différent.

Indicates an unrealized hypothesis.

He could have won the race if he had prepared better.

Il c'eût pu gagner la course s'il avait mieux préparé.

A phrase often used in a familiar context to evoke regret or a missed opportunity.

I know I should have talked to him; it would have been better.

Je sais que j'aurais dû lui parler, ça c'eût été mieux.

Derived from 'cela' and 'être' in the conditional.

shouldn't have

It was not supposed to happen.

c'eût pas dû

if it had been different

If it had been different.

si ça c'eût été autrement

that could have happened

It could have happened.

cela c'eût pu arriver

hypothetical

Relating to a hypothesis.

hypothétique

conditional

Expressing a condition.

conditionnel

Colloquial expression to evoke regret.

Oh, if I had known, it would have been great!

Ah, si j'avais su, ça c'eût été top!

Used to joke about a missed opportunity.

You should have come; it would have been fun!

T'aurais dû venir, ça c'eût été marrant!