what it could have been like to be vs what it would have been like to be

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'What it could have been like to be' is used when speculating about a past situation based on possibilities, while 'What it would have been like to be' is used to imagine a different past scenario. The choice between 'could have been' and 'would have been' depends on the level of certainty or possibility you want to convey.

Last updated: March 06, 2024 • 620 views

what it could have been like to be

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when speculating about a past situation based on possibilities.

This phrase is used to talk about a hypothetical past situation and what it might have been like if things had been different.

Alternatives:

what it might have been like to be
what it may have been like to be

what it would have been like to be

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to imagine a different past scenario.

This phrase is used to imagine a different past scenario and speculate on what it would have been like if things had been different.

Alternatives:

what it might have been like to be
what it may have been like to be

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what it could have been like to be vs what it would have been like to be