Eussent (en. Had)

/ø.sɑ̃/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Indicates a hypothesis or a condition that is not fulfilled.

If they had known, they would have acted differently.

S'ils eussent su, ils auraient agi différemment.

Used in literary and formal language.

He would estimate that if they had been present, the situation would have changed.

Il estimerait que, s'ils eussent été présents, la situation aurait changé.

Often used in a historical or literary context.

The thinkers of the time would have adopted different principles.

Les penseurs de l'époque eussent adopté d'autres principes.

Comes from the verb avoir, considered an archaic and literary form.

if they had had

If that had been the case.

s'ils eussent eu

could have

Could have done something.

eussent pu

if only they had

Expression of regret related to past actions.

si seulement ils eussent

eusse

First person singular of the imperfect subjunctive of the verb avoir.

eusse

had

Third person plural of the imperfect indicative of the verb avoir.

avaient

Used in formal language to express regrets.

If they had prepared their project better, they would have succeeded.

S'ils eussent mieux préparé leur projet, ils auraient réussi.