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may have looked vs would have looked

Both "may have looked" and "would have looked" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "May have looked" is used to express a possibility or likelihood in the past, while "would have looked" is used to talk about a hypothetical situation or condition in the past.

Last updated: March 24, 2024

may have looked

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a possibility or likelihood in the past.

Use "may have looked" to indicate a possibility or likelihood of something happening in the past.

Examples:

  • He may have looked for his keys before leaving the house.
  • She may have looked at the wrong address on the invitation.
  • The cat may have looked for a place to hide during the storm.
  • They may have looked for a solution to the problem all night.
  • I may have looked in the wrong drawer for the document.
  • That's why it may have looked like we were wearing the same T-shirt.
  • It may have looked like she'd been drinking too much and he was assisting her.
  • To the untrained eye, what may have looked like the final desperate act of a forgettable drone - you know, him snuffing out the light of his dismal, loveless, earth-toned...
  • I may have looked you up.
  • Although, scaling his wall may have looked a little...
  • I think I may have looked at kitchen counters around here somewhere.
  • I know how that may have looked, but...
  • Vivian may have looked down, so to speak, on the employers who were hiring her for this low-paying kind of work.
  • She may have looked Amish, but she sure didn't act it.
  • Sid, if you can rebuild her face to what it may have looked like before the surgery, it might help ID her.
  • So it may have looked like I was going to hurl up at bat, but I was ready.
  • Someone may have looked at my paper, I don't know.
  • I may have looked like a monster to them, but I was just a boy.
  • I may have looked her way a time or two, but that was it.
  • And this is what it may have looked like in life.
  • Look, I may have looked in there on my way to the kitchen.
  • I know I may have looked like a California girl, but in my heart I've discovered that I really am an Abbey Mount girl.
  • I know I may have looked like a California girl, but in my heart I've discovered that I really am an Abbey Mount girl.
  • He may have looked like he was awake,
  • Perhaps I - It may have looked that way, but actually -

Alternatives:

  • might have looked
  • could have looked
  • must have looked
  • should have looked
  • would have looked

would have looked

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

Use "would have looked" to discuss what someone or something would have appeared like in a hypothetical past situation.

Examples:

  • The room would have looked better with a different color scheme.
  • She would have looked stunning in that dress.
  • The garden would have looked more beautiful with some flowers.
  • The car would have looked faster with a sporty design.
  • The painting would have looked more realistic with better lighting.
  • I think he would have looked for a different way.
  • The Katie that I used to know would have looked for the good in these men.
  • It would have looked like death from natural causes, if we hadn't discovered this little detail.
  • Because that would have looked like that we were recruiting Amber in order to circumvent the warrant required to enter sid's safe deposit boxes.
  • It would have looked strange if we had not succeeded in achieving a broad compromise with regard to these reports.
  • I would have come with you, but it would have looked weird if we'd both gone.
  • Stick one of those in Ricky's hand, he would have looked like an average-sized man.
  • That would have looked real cool.
  • You would have looked like that barrel.
  • Without his strong support for peace, Europe would have looked different today.
  • But everyone would have looked out for your family.
  • Because I know how it would have looked.
  • I wanted to leave desperately, but I would have looked like a complete coward.
  • I still think Kono would have looked way hotter in this outfit.
  • I wish I'd known. I would have looked into it.
  • It's what Melissa would have looked like if she had grown up.
  • I cringe to think what the place would have looked like if I'd been away for longer.
  • If it wasn't for the scar around the neck, it would have looked like some glamorous woman with a wacky hairstyle.
  • If I wasn't so wrapped up in the election I would have looked at it sooner.
  • Another couple of seconds, and I shudder to think what I would have looked like.

Alternatives:

  • might have looked
  • could have looked
  • may have looked
  • should have looked
  • must have looked

Related Comparisons

would not have vs would have not will it have finished vs will it finished might have been flirting vs might have flirted most of the time I am doing vs I would have finished he would have given vs it would have been nice would never have vs would have never

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