J’eusse (en. I would have)

/ʒœs/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Conjugated form of the verb 'avoir' used in the imperfect subjunctive.

It was necessary that I had finished before his arrival.

Il fallait que j’eusse fini avant son arrivée.

Used in conditional or hypothetical constructions.

If I had known, I would have prepared differently.

Si j’eusse su, je me serais préparé différemment.

Rarely used in modern language but may appear in literary contexts.

I would have wished to have more time to think.

J’eusse souhaité avoir plus de temps pour réfléchir.

From Old French 'eus', which is a form of the verb 'avoir'.

If I had known

Expression indicating regret or an unrealized condition.

Si j’eusse su

It was necessary that I had

Used to express a past obligation or necessity.

Il fallait que j’eusse

I would have loved

Expresses an unachievable or past wish.

J’eusse aimé

have

Verb meaning to possess.

avoir

subjunctive

Verbal mood used to express uncertainty, desire, or emotion.

subjonctif

imperfect

Verbal tense indicating an unfinished past action.

imparfait

Rare literary expression.

In a poem, he often wrote 'I would have loved to wander these lands'.

Dans un poème, il écrivait souvent 'j’eusse aimé parcourir ces terres'.