Abstract:This paper is devoted to a diachronic development of CF markings.Based on the empirical study of the formal features of counterfactuals in a 155-language sample, we find that the markings of counterfactuals tend to be complex.One frequent combination of markers that shows up in many languages is that of a past tense together with perfect in past counterfactuals.According to Dahl (1997:97-114), the stacking use of CF markings consists of elements of varying historical layers.This motivates a closer look at the diachronic history of each marking in the combinations that do occur.Therefore, a diachronic study of frequently used CF markers such as past tense, perfective/imperfective aspect, irrealis mood markers is conducted.We propose a cross-linguistic whole life-cycle of CF markers which start as past tense markers, become fake past tense markers, develop into CF markers and end as future tense markers.