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

Question

"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

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?

Alternatives:

What will you do 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?

Alternatives:

What would you have done had

Answer 1

what would you do if

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

Answer 2

what would you have done if

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

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

what would you do if

what would you have done if

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