would have demanded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would have demanded" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a hypothetical situation in the past where a demand was expected or anticipated but did not occur. Example: "If the circumstances had been different, she would have demanded a higher salary during the negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Why should I die?" they would have demanded.

The New York Times

"If the highest punishment possible was life imprisonment, we would have demanded that," he said.

The New Yorker

There's no telling what sort of unnerving layout he would have demanded.

The New Yorker

Moyes agreed, having seen the second-half incident, that he would have demanded a penalty, too.

Independent

If "Battlefield Earth" had not been Travolta's dream, he would have demanded his usual $20 million.

The New York Times - Magazine

That would have demanded a voiceover narrator and greatly restricted the film's tempo.

The Guardian - Film

The conductor Paul Gemignani suggests that Styne and Rodgers would have demanded no less.

The New York Times

We lent money at interest rates that were far below what the market would have demanded.

The Guardian - Opinion

They probably would have demanded the shares at a lower price than what Aabar offered.

The New York Times

Nor is it clear that Mr. Miller would have demanded his approval.

The New York Times

"If it had crossed my mind, I would have demanded it.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would have demanded" to express what someone hypothetically would have insisted on in the past, emphasizing a strong expectation or requirement that was not ultimately fulfilled.

Common error

Avoid using "would have demanded" when referring to present or future actions; it's exclusively for hypothetical past scenarios. For present/future tense consider using "would demand".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would have demanded" functions as a modal verb construction expressing a hypothetical demand or insistence in the past. It suggests a condition that, if met, would have led to a specific request or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would have demanded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for expressing hypothetical past demands. As highlighted by Ludwig, it appears most often in News & Media contexts. The phrase conveys a sense of strong insistence or requirement that was not ultimately realized. Alternatives such as "would have required" and "would have insisted upon" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. When using this phrase, ensure the tense aligns with a hypothetical past scenario to avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would have required

Emphasizes necessity or obligation, rather than a forceful request.

would have insisted upon

Highlights the act of maintaining a strong opinion or request.

would have stipulated

Implies a formal agreement or condition being set.

would have expected

Focuses on anticipation or belief about what should happen.

would have requested

Indicates a more polite or less forceful form of asking.

would have needed

Highlights a necessity from the past that didn't occur.

would have ordered

Suggests a command or directive.

would have mandated

Implies an official ruling or decree.

would have seen fit to demand

Adds a layer of personal judgment or discretion.

would have seen necessary

Adds a layer of consideration and need.

FAQs

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

"Would have demanded" is used to describe a hypothetical situation in the past where someone strongly requested something. For example: "If they had known the truth, they "would have demanded" an apology."

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

You can use alternatives like "would have required", "would have insisted on", or "would have expected", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "would have demanded" or "would of demanded"?

"Would have demanded" is correct. "Would of demanded" is a common mistake arising from mishearing or misreading "would've", the contraction of "would have".

What's the difference between "would have demanded" and "would demand"?

"Would have demanded" refers to a hypothetical action in the past, while "would demand" refers to a hypothetical or conditional action in the present or future. For example: "They "would have demanded" answers if they had been present" (past), versus "They "would demand" answers if they were present" (present/future).