would not be able vs would not have been able

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Would not be able' is used to talk about a future possibility or ability, while 'would not have been able' is used to talk about a past situation or ability. Therefore, the choice between the two depends on the tense of the verb and the time frame being referred to.

Last updated: April 08, 2024 • 762 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a future possibility or ability.

"would not be able"

This phrase is used to talk about a future situation where someone lacks the ability to do something. It is often followed by an infinitive verb.

Examples:

If he doesn't study, he would not be able to pass the exam.
Without your help, I would not be able to finish this project on time.

Show examples from the web [+]

The French authorities indicate that given the resources available FagorBrandt would not be able to overcome its difficulties without state aid.
Sweden would not be able to implement the UN Firearms Protocol exclusively on its own.
Otherwise, they would not be able to gain additional market share.
Okay, they would not be able to do that very often.
You would not be able to live with yourself.
And even from a boat, one angler would not be able to fish all of just one of Ireland's bigger loughs in a lifetime.
In general, it would not be able to implement the restructuring plan.
That would not be able to photograph for them.
I represent 600 men and women without whom your hospital would not be able to function.
If the Hound so much as heard you mention it, I'm afraid all the knights in King's Landing would not be able to save you.
Sadly, I suspect You would not be able to accept the truth.
Some people believe that Franco would not be able to win this war if he didn't have any support.
He would not be able to bear knowing that he was responsible for people dying, because he is a good man.
Without photosynthesis plants, including algae and the corals, which we usually have in our aquariums, would not be able to live.
Without this information, the landlord would not be able to confirm that the property meets your requirements.
A wrong choice could lead to a series of unavoidable difficulties, the fisherman, especially if inexperienced, would not be able to cope.
Therefore, Rim would not be able to make its conversations available to any government that should request it.
If every life was precious, the world would not be able to sustain itself.
Without any money that Schindler has, he would not be able to bribe or get Goeth so interested in doing some business with him.
Without the State support measures, it would not be able to carry out those activities.

Alternatives:

will not be able
could not be able
might not be able
may not be able
shall not be able

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a past situation where someone lacked the ability to do something.

"would not have been able"

This phrase is used to talk about a past situation where someone did not have the ability to do something. It is often followed by a past participle verb.

Examples:

If you had not helped me, I would not have been able to finish the project.
She would not have been able to attend the meeting if it had been scheduled for tomorrow.

Show examples from the web [+]

Without the aid, ITP would not have been able to make such a large investment [22].
In view of these Decisions, a prudent undertaking would not have been able to predict that the Commission could take an opposite position.
A fortiori it cannot be stated that Pickman would not have been able to obtain a loan without State intervention at the end of 2005.
At the time, Javor Pivka would not have been able to provide sufficient mortgage to secure the same credit on commercial terms.
If I had laid closer eye upon him, he would not have been able to see her to the ridge... and allowed opportunity of escape.
Landkreis Nordsachsen concluded its comments with the statement that without the financing the airport would not have been able to implement the infrastructure project.
Capital increases C-VIII and C-IX have thus provided ÅI with an advantage that it would not have been able to obtain on the market.
Otherwise, the recipe would not have been able to comprise fat content of up to 35 %.
Lastly, Vestolit stresses that Kem One would not have been able to obtain the loans on the same terms in the market.
Moreover, the Slovenian authorities provided sufficient evidence that in 2004 the company would not have been able to refinance its short-term debts on its own.
The Commission therefore considers that the Palermo yard would not have been able to fulfil the December 2000 plan as regards outfitting, and Italy has not given any reply on this point.
Therefore, HSY would not have been able to receive the aid approved by decision C 10/94 in the framework of the 2001-2002 privatisation.
The Commission's preliminary view is that without its patent ambush, Rambus would not have been able to charge the royalty rates it currently does.
The Belgian authorities add that without the free guarantee from the City, EVO would not have been able to obtain the loans.
During such a stage, even an ultrasound would not have been able to confirm whether or not the pregnancy is confirmed.
DB - Prase is accustomed to working in the top range and, in this case, we would not have been able to choose anything below.
She has said, however, that even if she had been invited, she would not have been able to make the trip from Texas.
Such a weak star would not have been able to sustain liquid water on Earth's surface, and thus life should not have been able to develop.
But when it was clear that Alessio would not have been able to front the engagements, the crusaders decided to try to take possession of the city.
Even though not a scientifically approved device, without the Syncrometer, Dr. Clark would not have been able to carry out all her findings that she penned in 8 books.

Alternatives:

could not have been able
might not have been able
may not have been able
should not have been able
ought not to have been able

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would not be able vs would not have been able

"would not be able"

"would not have been able"

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