Si tu avais été plus petit, tu aurais pu être jockey.

Question

why is it not si tu aurais été plus petit in this example , as it seems more conditional than past?

Answer

Bonjour Jennifer !

When you express an hypothesis with an "if" clause, the verb following "if" is in the Simple Past, not Conditional:
"If I *bought* a house, I would be happy."
You don't say "If I *would buy* a house..."

It's the same in French, where we use L'Imparfait after "si":
"Si j'*achetais* une maison, je serais heureux."

See the related lesson:
https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/l-imparfait-usage-in-hypothetical-clauses-introduced-by-si-if-followed-by-le-conditionnel-present

I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !

Answer

Very helpful, thank you

Answer

The case at hand deals with the past and therefore it uses the plusqueparfai in the main clause and the conditionel passé in the si-clause: If I HAD BEEN smaller I COULD HAVE BEEN a jockey.

With the imperfect in the main clause and the conditionel présent in the si-clause it translates as: If I WERE smaller I WOULD BE a jockey.

This is actually completely parallel to English.

-- Chris.

Answer

Thank you