would have delivered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would have delivered" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a hypothetical situation in the past where an action was expected to occur but did not happen. Example: "If the weather had been better, the package would have delivered on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fairy godmother would have delivered.

The Guardian

He would have delivered the speech tomorrow during graduation ceremonies.

The New York Times

Chances are, the package would have delivered less bang for the buck.

The New York Times

Since 1972, that approach would have delivered a return of 14.5% a year in dollar terms.

The Economist

May's strategic competence would have delivered a once-in-a-generation parliamentary victory.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tsipras's proposals would have delivered almost €8bn in reduced government spending.

The Guardian

That would have required the usual offering discount, and would have delivered only a partial exit.

The New York Times

It's a more conservative message than the one Ms. Fisher would have delivered.

The New York Times

But had Mr. McGinniss been a good neighbor, he would have delivered that book without showing up unannounced.

The New York Times - Books

Actually, it would have delivered about 150,000 times that much, calculates Ed Lyman, a UCS physicist.

The New York Times

There is no guarantee that a steadying U.S. presence and long-term commitment would have delivered a better outcome.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would have delivered" to express a hypothetical outcome in the past that did not occur, often implying a sense of regret or missed opportunity.

Common error

Avoid using "would have delivered" to describe actions that are currently happening or are planned for the future. This phrase specifically refers to past hypothetical situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would have delivered" functions as a modal verb construction indicating a hypothetical past action or outcome. It suggests that something was possible or intended, but ultimately did not occur. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is both correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would have delivered" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to express hypothetical past actions or outcomes. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, indicating its appropriateness for expressing speculation, regret, or counterfactual scenarios. While the phrase appears most commonly in News & Media, it's also present in Science and Formal & Business contexts, reflecting a neutral register suitable for various situations. When writing, remember to use this phrase to talk about past events that did not occur but were expected or possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would have provided

Replaces "delivered" with "provided", focusing on the act of supplying something.

would have supplied

Similar to "provided", but emphasizes the act of furnishing or making available.

would have yielded

Focuses on the result or outcome that "would have delivered".

would have generated

Emphasizes the creation or production of something as a result.

would have produced

Similar to "generated", highlighting the act of bringing something into existence.

would have given

A more general alternative that focuses on the act of giving or offering.

would have furnished

Highlights the act of equipping or providing something necessary.

would have brought

Focuses on the act of carrying or conveying something to a destination.

would have rendered

Emphasizes the act of causing something to be in a particular state or condition.

would have achieved

Shifts the focus to the accomplishment or attainment of a goal.

FAQs

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

The phrase "would have delivered" is used to describe a past hypothetical situation. For example, "If the funding had been approved, the project "would have delivered" significant results."

What are some alternatives to "would have delivered"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "would have provided", "would have yielded", or "would have achieved".

Is it correct to say "would of delivered" instead of "would have delivered"?

No, "would of delivered" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""would have delivered"", using the auxiliary verb "have".

What's the difference between "would deliver" and "would have delivered"?

"Would deliver" suggests a future action from a past perspective, while ""would have delivered"" describes a hypothetical action that should have happened in the past but did not.