"Would not have done" vs "Would have not done"

Question

"Would not have done" vs "Would have not done"

Both "would not have done" and "would have not done" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Would not have done" is the more common and natural construction in English. It is used to express a hypothetical past action that did not happen. On the other hand, "would have not done" is less common and may sound awkward to native speakers.

Last Updated: April 06, 2024

This phrase is used to talk about something that was not done in the past, but could have been done under different circumstances.

Examples:

If I had known, I would not have done it.
She would not have done it if she had realized the consequences.
They would not have done it without your help.
I would not have done the same thing in his position.
He would not have done it if he had thought about it more.

Alternatives:

wouldn't have done
would not do
would not have undertaken
would not have performed
would not have carried out

This phrase can be used to emphasize the negation in a hypothetical past situation, but it is less common and may not flow as naturally as "would not have done."

Examples:

I would have not done it even if they had asked me.
She would have not done it without your encouragement.
They would have not done it if they had known the consequences.
He would have not done it under any circumstances.
We would have not done it without your support.

Alternatives:

would not have done
wouldn't have done
would not do
would not have undertaken
would not have performed

Answer 1

Would not have done

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a hypothetical past action that did not happen.

Answer 2

Would have not done

This phrase is correct but less common in English. It may sound awkward to native speakers.