If someone were to tell you vs If someone would have told you

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'If someone were to tell you' is used to talk about a hypothetical situation in the present or future, while 'if someone would have told you' is used to talk about a hypothetical situation in the past.

Last updated: March 19, 2024 • 1500 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about a hypothetical situation in the present or future.

"If someone were to tell you"

This phrase is used to introduce a hypothetical situation or condition in the present or future. It is often followed by a consequence or result.

Examples:

If someone were to tell you the truth, would you believe them?
If you were to win the lottery, what would you do with the money?

Show examples from the web [+]

Think about how you would want to be approached if someone were to tell you that you had a problem with alcohol. "It can be humiliating to be told this and their ...
If someone were to tell you that the Hebrew bible clearly tells us that the messiah would have to come and die before the destruction of the Second Temple, ...
What if someone were to tell you that at any given moment, you were traveling at speeds well in excess of the speed of sound? You might think they were crazy, ...
If someone were to tell you that you could have better, more meaningful communication with your partner, or that you could hug and touch him without his ...

Alternatives:

if someone were to tell you
if someone told you
if someone were to inform you
if someone were to share with you
if someone were to let you know

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about a hypothetical situation in the past.

"If someone would have told you"

This phrase is used to introduce a hypothetical situation or condition in the past. It is often followed by a consequence or result.

Examples:

If someone would have told you about the meeting, you could have attended.
If you had known, you would have acted differently.

Show examples from the web [+]

Nov 10, 2015 ... Toshiba 49-inch LED 1080p HDTV for $149.99 – if someone would have told you two years ago that you would be able to buy a high-quality ...
Nov 12, 2015 ... Toshiba 49-inch LED 1080p HDTV for $149.99 – if someone would have told you two years ago that you would be able to buy a high-quality ...
... believe that you would have quit smoking a longtime ago if someone would have told you that you could live decades longer if you stopped smoking today.
If someone would have told you you couldn't do it, maybe you wouldn't have been able to do it. Think of all of the things you think you can't do, and question why ...

Alternatives:

if someone had told you
if someone had informed you
if someone had shared with you
if someone had let you know
if someone had given you a heads-up

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If someone were to tell you vs If someone would have told you