would arrive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would arrive" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a future event that is conditional or hypothetical, often in the context of expectations or predictions. Example: "If the weather permits, the train would arrive on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The cops would arrive.

The New York Times

They would arrive in limos.

The New York Times - Arts

The Bat'kivshchyna would arrive.

The New York Times

The outages would arrive, quietly, at midnight.

The New Yorker

She would arrive at five o'clock.

The New Yorker

In time, large pieces would arrive.

The New Yorker

Other, more generous catastrophes would arrive.

The New Yorker

The humans would arrive last.

The New York Times - Science

It would arrive the following Wednesday.

The New York Times

Later on, the parents would arrive.

The Guardian - Opinion

She had known exactly when our daughter would arrive home.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would arrive" to describe events that are expected to happen in the future based on a certain condition or plan. It's useful for scenarios where the arrival is contingent on something else.

Common error

Avoid using "would arrive" when describing a definite future event with no conditions. Use "will arrive" instead. For example, say "The package will arrive tomorrow" instead of "The package would arrive tomorrow" if there are no influencing factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would arrive" functions primarily as a modal verb phrase indicating a future event from a past perspective or a conditional future. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts to express expectations or predictions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would arrive" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to describe future events from a past perspective, or to indicate conditional future occurrences. As evidenced by Ludwig and its examples from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across different contexts. Its frequency and neutral register make it suitable for various writing styles, although careful attention should be paid to the tense and context to avoid misuse. Common alternatives include "is expected to arrive" and "is scheduled to arrive", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is expected to arrive

Emphasizes anticipation or expectation of arrival.

is scheduled to arrive

Highlights a pre-arranged or planned arrival.

is due to arrive

Implies an obligation or commitment to arrive.

will be arriving

Uses the future continuous tense, focusing on the process of arriving.

is set to arrive

Indicates a firm plan or arrangement for arrival.

shall arrive

A more formal or archaic way of saying "will arrive".

is coming

A more general and less specific way of indicating arrival.

will reach

Focuses on the act of reaching a destination.

should get here

Expresses an expectation or hope about arrival.

will turn up

An informal way of saying someone will arrive, often unexpectedly.

FAQs

How do I use "would arrive" correctly in a sentence?

"Would arrive" is used to describe a future event viewed from a point in the past or as a conditional future. For example, "I thought the package "would arrive" yesterday if the weather was good."

What are some alternatives to "would arrive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is expected to arrive", "is scheduled to arrive", or "is due to arrive".

When should I use "will arrive" instead of "would arrive"?

"Will arrive" is used for simple future tense, indicating a definite future event. "Would arrive" implies a conditional or hypothetical future, or a future event seen from a past perspective. Use "will arrive" when stating a fact about the future and "would arrive" when the arrival depends on a condition or is being discussed in the context of the past.

What's the difference between "would arrive" and "was going to arrive"?

"Would arrive" often suggests a regular occurrence or a conditional future. "Was going to arrive" indicates a plan or intention in the past that may or may not have been fulfilled. For example, "The train "would arrive" at 6 PM every day" versus "The train "was going to arrive" late, but it was delayed further".