that would have

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that would have" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a hypothetical situation or an action that did not occur in the past but was possible. Example: "If I had known about the meeting, that would have changed my plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Often, that would have been difficult.

The Economist

That would have snowballed.

The New York Times - Sports

That would have delighted Brussels.

The Economist

That would have ruined everything.

The New Yorker

That would have been me".

The New York Times

That would have been awkward.

The New York Times - Sports

That would have taken time.

The Economist

"That would have been storybook".

The New York Times - Sports

That would have been something.

The New York Times

That would have made enemies.

The New York Times - Magazine

That would have been humiliating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, ensure that the context clearly establishes the conditions under which the hypothetical event "would have" occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "that will have" or "that is going to have" instead of "that would have" when discussing past hypothetical situations. The future tenses do not convey the intended meaning of a condition that was not met in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that would have" primarily functions as a conditional perfect construction. It describes hypothetical outcomes or consequences in the past that did not occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that would have" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for expressing hypothetical past scenarios. Ludwig AI validates its usage, indicating it's a standard construction in English. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to communicate missed opportunities, speculate on alternative realities, or express regret. To use it effectively, ensure that the context clearly sets up the hypothetical conditions and avoid confusing it with future tenses. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can leverage "that would have" to add depth and nuance to their expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would have

Adds a pronoun for emphasis or clarity, slightly altering the sentence structure.

that might have

Replaces "would" with "might", indicating a possibility less certain than a conditional.

that could have

Substitutes "would" with "could", suggesting a potential ability or capacity in the past.

that should have

Replaces "would" with "should", implying a moral obligation or expectation.

if that had happened

Recasts the phrase as a condition, focusing on the hypothetical event itself.

in that scenario

Expresses the idea as being dependent on hypothetical circumstances.

under those circumstances

Similar to "in that scenario", this highlights the conditional nature of the outcome.

had that been the case

More formal way to express a hypothetical past situation.

under different conditions

Highlights the impact of altering the circumstances on the potential result.

it was destined to

Implies an inevitable outcome based on past conditions.

FAQs

How to use "that would have" in a sentence?

Use "that would have" to describe a past event that did not happen but could have if conditions were different. For example, "If I had studied harder, "that would have" improved my grade".

What can I say instead of "that would have"?

You can use alternatives like "that might have", "that could have", or "it would have" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "that would have" or "that will have"?

"That would have" is correct for describing hypothetical past situations. "That will have" is used for future perfect tense, indicating something that will be completed by a specific time in the future and has a different meaning.

What's the difference between "that would have" and "that should have"?

"That would have" indicates a hypothetical outcome, while "that should have" implies an expectation or obligation that was not fulfilled. For instance, ""that would have" been great" expresses a missed opportunity, whereas "that should have been done" suggests a duty not performed.