I would like to meet her then, but she was busy. vs I would have liked to meet her then, but she was busy.

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. The first phrase "I would like to meet her then, but she was busy." expresses a desire to meet her in the past, while the second phrase "I would have liked to meet her then, but she was busy." indicates a past desire that was not fulfilled due to her being busy.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 1335 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express a desire to meet someone in the past.

"I would like to meet her then, but she was busy. "

This phrase is used to express a wish or desire to meet someone in the past, even though it did not happen.

Show examples from the web [+]

Please excuse the urgency, but if you're still interested, I would like to meet you.
No, but I would like to meet the little fella who used to live here.
I'm sure Yale would like to meet her.
I would like to meet Leona Lewis.
I would like to meet someone who worked with him.
And someday, I would like to meet one of these kangaroos.
In the meantime, I would like to meet with this Ronin.
I would like to meet this Mr Hex.
I would like to meet with my clients privately.
I would like to meet these wonders face to face.
I would like to meet Molly Brooke's parents...
I would like to meet their shaman.
Arrange to meet up, but then swear us to silence.
I would like to meet the town
As soon as possible, I would like to meet with your Chief of staff.
I would like to meet privately with my fellow heads of state.
I would like to meet one of his friends.
I would like to meet with your Leader Kim and discuss the matter of reunification.
And if you don't mind... ...I would like to meet with my clients, privately.
I would like to meet Mr. Ishii, the priest.

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express a past desire that was not fulfilled.

"I would have liked to meet her then, but she was busy. "

This phrase is used to express a wish or desire to meet someone in the past that was not possible due to certain circumstances.

Show examples from the web [+]

I would have liked to give you a quote from Conan, but...
I would have liked to have been a fed myself, but...
I would have liked to have played it safe, but there's no time.
Personally, I would have liked to go even further, but what has been achieved is a first step.
I also welcome the section on better regulation, but I would have liked to have seen it include a reference to sunset clauses on all legislation.
Thank you for the specifications, but I would have liked to have had some additional information.
Mr President, I wish to congratulate everyone, but I would have liked to have seen a more ambitious result.
I would have liked to ask Mr Barroso a question, but unfortunately he is no longer here.
I would have liked to have started by thanking Mr Juncker, but he is probably not interested in our opinions.
I would have liked to see all the revenue going to air traffic, but I am grateful that my views were even partly taken into consideration.
I would have liked to try being a mom.
I would have liked to make Carla a mom.
I would have liked to have continued but nothing beats Reality.
I would have liked to marry your grandfather.
But I would have liked to have been consulted in the choice.
I would have liked to reconnect with her.
I would have liked to see Gibbs shoot that computer.
Your husband sounds like someone I would have liked to have met.
I would have liked to play the clavier... and perhaps compose.
I would have liked to show you Florence, Will.

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I would like to meet her then, but she was busy. vs I would have liked to meet her then, but she was busy.

"I would like to meet her then, but she was busy. "

"I would have liked to meet her then, but she was busy. "

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