it would be better if you told me vs it would be better if you have told me

The correct phrase is 'it would be better if you told me.' The use of 'have told' in the second phrase is incorrect in this context. The correct form uses the simple past tense 'told' to express a hypothetical situation.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1959 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a hypothetical situation.

"it would be better if you told me"

This phrase is used to suggest that something would be improved if a certain action were taken in the past. It is a polite way to make a suggestion or request.

Examples:

It would be better if you told me the truth.
It would be better if you told me earlier.
It would be better if you told me what happened.
It would be better if you told me your plans.
It would be better if you told me about your concerns.

Show examples from the web [+]

I thought it would be better if he told you himself.
Maybe it would be better if I told Mama.
Chicago is beautiful, but it would be better if you were here.
It would be better if you could swim.
It would be better if you got married right away.
But it would be better if you admit it by yourself.
It would be better if you took a rest here.
It would be better if you took a rest here.
It would be better if you were not dealt with this empty labour...
I think it would be better if you came out to Clinton Hill, talked about it there with him.
I think it would be better if you had some company on the road.
No, it would be better if you didn't tell your mother about this.
And I'm not very good with people, so I think it would be better if you just left.
It would be better if you weren't around here for this.
It would be better if you just vent out your anger.
It would be better if you could get her to sit calmly.
And I think it would be better if you don't ring here again.
Golden does think it would be better if you were there so that the judge could see we...
And perhaps, it would be better if you hadn't seen me today.
We think it would be better if you just left us all together.

This phrase is incorrect in this context. The use of 'have told' is not appropriate for expressing a hypothetical situation.

"it would be better if you have told me"

Show examples from the web [+]

I thought it would be better if he told you himself.
Maybe it would be better if I told Mama.
Chicago is beautiful, but it would be better if you were here.
It would be better if you could swim.
It would be better if you got married right away.
But it would be better if you admit it by yourself.
It would be better if you took a rest here.
It would be better if you took a rest here.
It would be better if you were not dealt with this empty labour...
I think it would be better if you came out to Clinton Hill, talked about it there with him.
I think it would be better if you had some company on the road.
No, it would be better if you didn't tell your mother about this.
And I'm not very good with people, so I think it would be better if you just left.
It would be better if you weren't around here for this.
It would be better if you just vent out your anger.
It would be better if you could get her to sit calmly.
And I think it would be better if you don't ring here again.
Golden does think it would be better if you were there so that the judge could see we...
And perhaps, it would be better if you hadn't seen me today.
We think it would be better if you just left us all together.

Alternatives:

it would have been better if you had told me
it would be better if you tell me
it would be better if you had told me
it would be better if you were to tell me
it would be better if you would tell me

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it would be better if you told me vs it would be better if you have told me