if he had not been vs if he would not have been

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'If he had not been' is used in the past unreal conditional sentences, while 'if he would not have been' is used in the future unreal conditional sentences.

Last updated: March 17, 2024 • 1242 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English in past unreal conditional sentences.

"if he had not been"

This phrase is used in past unreal conditional sentences to talk about situations that did not happen in the past.

Examples:

If he had not been late, he would have caught the train.
If she had not been so tired, she would have finished her work.
I would have helped him if he had not been so rude.

Show examples from the web [+]

It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Berean Study Bible The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by ...
For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been ...
"The Son of man goeth as it is written of Him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born" ...
The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

Alternatives:

if he hadn't been
if he were not
if he hadn't been there
if he hadn't been so careless
if he hadn't been so stubborn

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English in future unreal conditional sentences.

"if he would not have been"

This phrase is used in future unreal conditional sentences to talk about situations that will not happen in the future.

Examples:

If he would not have been so busy, he could have attended the meeting.
She would have passed the exam if she would not have been sick.
I would have called him if he would not have been out of town.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jun 29, 2015 ... the plea agreement in this case if he would not have been erroneously informed by his defense counsel that he was eligible to receive ...
Sep 21, 2015 ... On if he would have gone to Southern Miss, if he would not have been offered by Nebraska “I'm not really sure. It was (between) Oregon or ...
Didn't succeed in killing him, but the attempt charge would decrease to an assault and battery if he would not have been convicted of murder. Court found this ...
I often wonder if he would not have been the best writer we've ever had or likely to have if he hadn't been married to someone that would make him waste ...

Alternatives:

if he will not have been
if he wouldn't have been
if he will not have been there
if he will not have been so careless
if he will not have been so stubborn

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if he had not been vs if he would not have been

"if he had not been"

"if he would not have been"

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