would vs would have

The phrases 'would' and 'would have' serve different purposes in English. 'Would' is used to express a future action or a habitual action in the past, while 'would have' is used to talk about a hypothetical past action that did not happen. They are not directly comparable as they have distinct meanings and functions.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 228 views

The word 'would' is correct and commonly used in English to express future actions or habitual actions in the past.

"would"

Use 'would' to indicate future actions or habitual actions in the past. For example, 'I would go to the gym every day.'

Examples:

She would always help me with my homework.
If it rains, I would take an umbrella.
He said he would call me later.
I would like to go to the beach tomorrow.
Would you like some coffee?

Show examples from the web [+]

His stepmother would inherit everything, and he would be completely cut out.
Anything concerning humans would require Congressional approval.
Which would would result in brain death.
I never would have imagined you would embrace me.
Although liquidity would improve during the period in question, it would not be restored and would remain negative in 2009/2010.
The Commission also considered that these advantages would be granted via State resources, would affect trade between Member States and would be selective.
If the vote would have been successful, policy would change in Nevada and more machines like EDITH would be springing up.
You would think that these people would show some allegiance.
She would promise that she would make things better.
Anything that would pin the Mayor down would be great.
I would have thought, you would be angry enough to report that.
I would think they would be arresting this man, not deporting us.
So if I would have gotten into college, this would be a conversation because...
I would imagine it would be quite disheartening given your need for acclaim.
This close, it would have to be somebody he would never recognize.
Their planes would buffet wildly... and they would disintegrate.
These cartoons would be transparent and would cover half the visual field, like a screen.
They would usually come to a good conclusion what would be a perfect car.
They wouldn't quit saying that Mikey would be better off if...
You would think someone with wings wouldn't have that problem.

Alternatives:

will
used to
could
might

The phrase 'would have' is correct and is used to talk about hypothetical past actions that did not happen.

"would have"

Use 'would have' to discuss hypothetical past actions that did not occur. For example, 'I would have helped you if you had asked.'

Examples:

I would have gone to the party if I had known about it.
She would have bought the dress if it had been on sale.
He would have passed the exam if he had studied more.
They would have won the game if they had played better.
Would you have come if I had invited you?

Show examples from the web [+]

The truth would have caused panic.
Nothing I said would have mattered.
A 20-minute lap would have sufficed.
That would have made no difference.
I certainly would have failed IQ tests.
I would have joined with Wakasugi.
To see what would have happened.
This would have allowed numerous weapon combinations.
I never would have met Colin.
Anyone smaller would have been faster.
And I would have done a lot earlier...
Sunday would have been Jess's birthday.
Coach would have suspended me next game.
Midsummer sunrise would have risen exactly between them.
I never would have imagined you would embrace me.
The shockwave from the impact would have flattened buildings.
The First Amendment media uproar would have been deafening.
Hodgins would have written me poetry or something.
Erik would have let nothing interfere with his creative impulses.
The compensation would have been huge.

Alternatives:

could have
might have
should have
ought to have

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would vs would have

"would"

"would have"

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