this would have

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this 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 under certain conditions. Example: "If I had known about the meeting, this would have changed my plans for the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This would have allowed aH.

Independent

"This would have no taste".

The New York Times

This would have several advantages.

The Economist

This would have been perfect".

The New York Times - Sports

This would have been doable.

The Economist

This would have happened anyway..

The New Yorker

This would have constituted a big shift.

The Economist

"In Germany, this would have triggered lawsuits".

The New York Times

This would have amounted to market manipulation.

The Economist

This would have been about 1954.

The New Yorker

This would have to be Alaska.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this would have" to clearly express hypothetical outcomes in the past, ensuring the context implies a condition that was not met.

Common error

Avoid using "this would have" when referring to a present or future possibility. Instead, use "this would" or "this will".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this would have" functions as part of a conditional clause, typically expressing a hypothetical outcome in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to discuss events that did not happen but were possible under different conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this would have" is a common phrase used to describe hypothetical past scenarios, indicating what might have occurred under different circumstances. Grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts—from news and media to scientific and formal business writing—it is a versatile tool for expressing speculation and conditional outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and practical for illustrating hypothetical situations that didn't occur. Remember to use it in the correct tense and be mindful of the level of certainty you wish to convey, choosing alternatives like "this could have" or "this might have" as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would have

Replaces "this" with "it", maintaining the same meaning with a slight shift in focus.

that would have

Uses "that" instead of "this", indicating a reference to something previously mentioned.

it would've

A contracted version of "it would have", making the tone slightly more informal.

this could have

Replaces "would" with "could", indicating possibility rather than certainty.

it could've

A contraction of "it could have", offering a more informal alternative.

this might have

Substitutes "would" with "might", suggesting a lower probability.

this may have

Uses "may" instead of "would", indicating a weaker possibility.

that might've

A contracted version of "that might have", maintaining a similar level of possibility.

this must have

Replaces "would" with "must", implying a logical conclusion or strong probability.

this should have

Substitutes "would" with "should", indicating obligation or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "this would have" in a sentence?

Use "this would have" to describe a hypothetical result of a past action or event that didn't occur. For instance, "If I had studied harder, "this would have" improved my grade".

What's the difference between "this would have" and "this could have"?

"This would have" suggests a more certain outcome if a condition were met, while "this could have" implies a possibility, but not a certainty. For example, "This would have worked if you followed the instructions exactly" versus "This could have worked, but there were too many variables".

When is it appropriate to use "this should have" instead of "this would have"?

"This should have" implies an expectation or obligation that was not fulfilled, whereas ""this would have"" indicates a hypothetical result. An example: "This should have been completed yesterday (expectation)" versus "This would have been perfect if it were finished on time (hypothetical)".

Can I replace "this would have" with "this might have" in all contexts?

While "this might have" can often substitute "this would have", be mindful of the degree of certainty you wish to convey. "This might have" suggests a lower probability than "this would have". Therefore, consider the specific nuance required in your sentence.