The usage of "would" in past -future and conditional tense

[CrystalSpringston]

Hi Expert:
As we know, there are mainly 2 usage of would:
1) it's the past tense of "will".
2) it's a CONDITIONAL - i.e., it describes what would occur in some alternate situation that is not actually the case

Sometimes I am confuse about how to judge whether one sentence is in past tense of will or conditional.
Eg:
I knew that if I bought that car, I would be happy with it.
For it, can we understand it as past -future tense or conditional? If I didn't actually buy the car in the past.

And If it should be conditional, I think it is correct to use "if had done....would have done" to describe a past counter-fact. Am I right?

Thank you!

[RonPurewal]

I knew that if I bought that car, I would be happy with it.

this is the past version of If I buy the car, I will be happy with it.

[RonPurewal]

If I didn't actually buy the car in the past.

this would be If I had bought the car, I would have been happy with it.

[RonPurewal]

most importantly, you will definitely NOT have to understand these distinctions for the exam. if a problem depends on verb tense, the differences will be very stark.

in other words—if you see a distinction like this one, look for other, bigger differences first.

[CrystalSpringston]

most importantly, you will definitely NOT have to understand these distinctions for the exam. if a problem depends on verb tense, the differences will be very stark.

in other words—if you see a distinction like this one, look for other, bigger differences first.

Thank you. Keep your words in mind.

[RonPurewal]

excellent.

[aflaamM589]

I knew that if I bought that car, I would be happy with it.

this is the past version of If I buy the car, I will be happy with it.

Ron, is it used correctly here?

[RonPurewal]

sure. why would you think otherwise?

[aflaamM589]

What does pronoun it refers to?

[RonPurewal]

this should be quite clear in context. what do you think it refers to?