what would you do if vs what would you have done if

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'What would you do if' is used to ask about hypothetical future situations, while 'What would you have done if' is used to ask about hypothetical past situations.

Last updated: March 21, 2024 • 1074 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to ask about hypothetical future situations.

"what would you do if"

This phrase is used to inquire about someone's potential actions in a hypothetical future scenario.

Examples:

What would you do if you won the lottery?
What would you do if you were invisible?
What would you do if you had a million dollars?
What would you do if you found a wallet on the street?
What would you do if you were late for an important meeting?

Show examples from the web [+]

What would you do if you were at home at night alone and you heard a noise in your flat/house that seemed to be footsteps? Would you stay calm or would you ...
What would you do if you were the principal of your school? What would you do if you could suddenly speak English? What would you do if you won a lottery?
A. What would you do if...? 1. boss announced an early-morning meeting a) I'd take it up. 2. you were too tired to continue exercising b) I'd pick it up. 3. your aunt ...
What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid? Connect with Facebook. Write new rules. Chris Barbour. Achieve my goals. Ahmed Helmy. Be confident. Andrew ...

Alternatives:

What will you do if

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to ask about hypothetical past situations.

"what would you have done if"

This phrase is used to inquire about someone's potential actions in a hypothetical past scenario.

Examples:

What would you have done if you had known the truth?
What would you have done if you had missed the train?
What would you have done if you had failed the exam?
What would you have done if you had lost your job?
What would you have done if you had been caught in the storm?

Show examples from the web [+]

A: What would you have done if you had won the lottery last week? B: I would have bought a house. A: What city would you have chosen if you had decided to ...
Dec 9, 2013 ... Newt to conservatives: What would you have done if you were Nelson Mandela? Photo of Matt K. Lewis. Matt K. Lewis · Senior Contributor.
Jan 15, 2016 ... Katy Perry - what would you have done if you had 1 minute with your Idol - Katy Perry. Katy Perry World. SubscribeSubscribedUnsubscribe
Aug 31, 2014 ... What would you have done if you were in Ashya's parents's situation? This private dispute over treatment shouldn't have been plastered all ...

Alternatives:

What would you have done had

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what would you do if vs what would you have done if