Learn English – “You would not have got the flu if you {ate/had eaten} more fruit.” – what is the difference

conditional-constructionspast-vs-past-perfect

You would not have got the flu if you ate more fruit

You would not have got the flu if you had eaten more fruit

What is the difference between these two sentences?

Best Answer

Your second sentence is a correct third conditional form as these forms are taught to English language learners.

Your first sentence has a difference in nuance that is not necessarily grammatically incorrect but doesn't conform to how the forms are taught. While the result (having gotten the flu) is in the past and can't be changed, there's an implication that you could still change your habits and start eating more fruit, and that if you do, you could possibly avoid repeating the result and getting the flu again.