Had I known

Watch four videos using the phrase "had I known" in conversation.

Script
Grammar
Quiz

Conversation 1

Man: What did you do last night?
Woman: I went to dinner with Bob.
Man: Oh, that sounds fun.
Woman: What did you do? Did you work?
Man: No, I just stayed home. I didn't work last night.
Woman: Oh. Had I known that I would've invited you.
Man: Maybe next time.

Conversation 2

Man: The traffic is so slow.
Woman: Yeah, I know. We're going to be late for the game.
Man: Yeah. Had I known it was going to be this bad, I would've taken the train.
Woman: I know, it would've been much faster.
Man: Oh well, nothing we can do now but hope for the best.
Woman: Yeah, fingers crossed.

Conversation 3

Man: So, what are you going to order?
Woman: I'm not sure. I don't see any vegetarian dishes.
Man: You're a vegetarian?
Woman: Yeah. I thought you knew.
Man: No. I had no idea.
Woman: Yeah, I am. For 10 years now.
Man: Oh no. Had I known that I would've taken you somewhere else.
Woman: No worries, I'm used to it. I'm sure I'll find something I can eat.

Conversation 4

Man: What did you do on Saturday?
Woman: I played golf at the new course by the river.
Man: Oh, I love that course. I tried it last week.
Woman: I didn't know you played golf.
Man: Yeah. Ever since I was a kid.
Woman: Oh. Had I known that I would've invited you to play.
Man: Oh yeah? Well, no worries. I was busy on Sunday anyway.
Woman: Well, still, I hope you can join us next time.
Man: Thanks. I'd love to.

Had I known

Point 1 : A common expresson in English is "Had I known..." which expresses someone did not do something because they were not aware of some information.

Had I known you were in town, I would have invited you to my house.
Had I known you were sick, I would have made you some soup.
Had I known you played golf, I'd have asked you to play with us.

Point 2: The phrase "had I known" is a shortened way of saying "If I had known" but with the same effect.

If I had known you were in town, I would have invited you to my house.
- Had I known you were in town, I would have invited you to my house.
If I had known you were sick, I would have made you some soup.
- Had I known you were sick, I would have made you some soup.
If I had known you played golf, I'd have asked you to play with us.
- Had I known you played golf, I'd have asked you to play with us.

Point 3 : The phrase "I would have" is usually reduced to "I'd have" in spoken English and sounds like /I duv/ or /I dove/.