would not happen vs would not have happened

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Would not happen' is used to talk about hypothetical events that will not occur if a condition is met, while 'would not have happened' is used to refer to past events that did occur. Therefore, the choice between the two depends on whether you are discussing a hypothetical or past situation.

Explained by Vince
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 26, 2024 • 12839 views

would not happen

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express the unlikelihood of future events.

This phrase is used to talk about events in the future that are not expected to occur. It indicates a hypothetical situation where something is unlikely to happen.

Examples:

If you keep procrastinating, success would not happen.
Without proper planning, a disaster would not happen.

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The Commission reassured people that this would not happen; governments did their bit by promoting agreements with business; consumer associations advised vigilance.
He deserved a fair hearing, but he knew this would not happen, not in this city.
You know, this would not happen if we had a union.
With backups, checks, this would not happen.
For a long time it looked as if this would not happen, but better late than never.
That we do not have clear targets, that we cannot measure output, is really unacceptable and would not happen in any other institution.
If the politicised rail system ran the railways better, these things would not happen.
It would not happen in any other parliament in the world.
If decisions in the Council required unanimity, that would not happen.
The Navy turned a blind eye to flaws in the system, and I made sure that that would not happen again.
I came here to make sure it would not happen again, but we have to work together.
We really do have it going right that the continent is growing at rates that people had thought would not happen.
You know, this would not happen if we had a union.
Chapel, you guaranteed me this French fiasco would not happen.
If that were the case then this would not happen to you again.
Furthermore, even if they are not excluded, free movement, according to the Commission proposal, would not happen immediately.
Now I look at it with Max, and I think that it would not happen again, too.
Miss Daly, were it not for you, supplier no ball would not happen.
There would also be a problem if the Maastricht Treaty were to be amended, and in my view that would not happen at all without the ratification procedure.
If it ever came down to them having to go to court, which would not happen, - but if it did, we could move you.

Alternatives:

will not happen
is not going to happen
won't occur
is unlikely to happen
is improbable

would not have happened

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to past events that did not occur.

This phrase is used to talk about events in the past that were unlikely to occur or did not happen. It is often used in hypothetical or counterfactual statements about the past.