What you’d have done if you’d known better!

As you already know, both had and would can be contracted to ‘d and joined to subject pronouns. So, if you know this, why are you afraid to do it, and especially say it. The Spanish phonetics are in parenthesis.

I had, I would           =  I’d     (aid)

You had, you would   =  you’d  (iud)

He had, he would      =  he’d    (jid)

She had, she would    =  she’d (schid)

It had, it would         =  it’d     (it-ed)

We had, we would     =  we’d   (uid) 

They had, they would =  they’d (zeid)

So now that you know how they’re pronounced, can you differentiate whether 'd means had or would? Read the following sentences and decide which word the 'd represents. You’ll find the answers in the comments below.

1. I’d give up smoking if I were you.

2. They’d lived together for a long time.

3. She’d always believed in fairy tales.

4. He’d never agree to that.

5. I’d finished the exam before the bell rang.

6. We’d go if we could.

7. You said that you’d love me forever!

8. They could’ve seen it if they’d come.

So, how did you do? The important clue to figuring out whether one 'd refers had or would is by checking out what verb form follows it. Would is always followed by an infinitive, whereas the auxiliary verb had is always followed by a past participle to form the present perfect. Take another look!