that would be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that would be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a result, a choice, or a consequence. For example, "If our plans don't work, that would be the end of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would be reckless.

The New York Times

That would be expensive.

The Economist

That would be blood.

The New York Times - Books

That would be ludicrous.

Independent

That would be enough.

The New York Times - Books

That would be anathema.

The New York Times

That would be possible.

The New York Times - Magazine

That would be tedious.

Independent

"That would be awful.

The New York Times - Magazine

"That would be coy".

The New York Times

That would be dishonest.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by sometimes placing the condition after the main clause with "that would be" for emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "that would be" in very simple sentences where a more direct verb form would suffice. For example, instead of saying "That would be better", try "That's better" for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that would be" functions as a linking verb in conditional statements, expressing a potential outcome or state. As Ludwig AI highlights, it introduces a result, choice, or consequence based on a preceding condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that would be" is a versatile phrase used to express hypothetical situations and potential outcomes. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, with example sentences drawn from reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. The linguistic analysis reveals its function as a linking verb in conditional statements, serving the purpose of expressing hypothetical scenarios in a neutral register. To enhance your writing, use it to introduce potential results and vary sentence structure for emphasis, while avoiding overuse in simple sentences where a more direct verb form would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would mean

This option is simpler and more direct, focusing on the immediate implication.

this would lead to

This phrase specifies that something will cause a certain result or development.

the outcome would be

This alternative specifically highlights the result or consequence of an action or situation.

it would result in

This alternative stresses the outcome or effect of a particular action or situation.

it would entail

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the consequences or requirements that would follow.

it indicates

This is a straightforward way of stating that something demonstrates or signifies something else.

that implies

This suggests a consequence that is not directly stated but can be inferred.

it would constitute

This is a more formal way of saying something would be equivalent to something else, implying a legal or official standing.

it suggests

Similar to "that implies", but slightly less direct, hinting at a possibility or conclusion.

it points to

This emphasizes a direction or indication towards a specific conclusion or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "that would be" in a sentence?

Use "that would be" to introduce a hypothetical result or express a condition, such as, "If we invest in new technology, "that would be" a significant improvement."

What's a more concise way to say "that would be"?

Depending on the context, you can use shorter alternatives like "that's", "it'd be", or rephrase the sentence to be more direct.

Is "that will be" interchangeable with "that would be"?

"That will be" implies a higher degree of certainty or a future event, while "that would be" suggests a hypothetical or conditional scenario.

What can I say instead of "that would be" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "that would constitute", "it would entail", or "the result would be".