would have explained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would have explained" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a hypothetical situation in the past where an explanation could have been given under certain conditions. Example: "If I had known you were confused, I would have explained the concept more clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

She would have explained that her case was complicated.

The New York Times

If she'd asked him, Jasmin said, he would have explained about his name.

The New Yorker

Mitt certainly would have explained to Tagg how a party affiliation can define you.

The New Yorker

All this is what I would have explained to my jet-lagged friend if I had my chance.

The New York Times - Travel

(An unfinished 10th chapter of "Onegin," Binyon tells us, would have explained Eugene's involvement with the Decembrists. Pushkin burned it.

The New York Times - Books

Given a chance, I would have explained, but I didn't get the opportunity, because you're right there at the counter and there's someone waiting next to you".

Independent

They would have explained; they would have provided the narrative which at least would have tried to explain to the public why we did it.

Independent

"Only about the most famous crime film ever made," I would have explained if my French had been up to such drollery.

The Guardian - Travel

Perhaps anyone in that situation, grasping for a simple, non-sexual get-out, would have explained that it was simply an elaborate duster.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If I had asked the many experienced colleagues I have here at The Independent – who have always been very generous with their time – they would have told me that, and they would have explained just how wrong I was.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Someone says to Thompson, "If you could have found out what Rosebud meant, I bet that would've explained everything".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would have explained" to clearly indicate a hypothetical situation in the past where an explanation would have been given if certain conditions were met.

Common error

Avoid using "would have explained" when referring to present or future scenarios; ensure the context is firmly rooted in the past and involves a conditional element.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would have explained" functions as a conditional perfect construction. It indicates a hypothetical explanation that would have occurred under specific past circumstances. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples to illustrate this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Books

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would have explained" is a versatile conditional perfect construction used to describe hypothetical past explanations. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific writing, and books. It serves to express speculation or counterfactual reasoning about situations where an explanation could have been provided under different circumstances. While its register is generally neutral, it’s crucial to use it correctly by ensuring the context involves a past conditional scenario. Avoiding tense errors and understanding the nuances of its alternatives are essential for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would have clarified

Expresses the conditional past perfect of clarifying.

could have clarified

Suggests a possibility of making something clearer in the past.

might have elucidated

Implies a potential for shedding light on a topic in the past.

would have justified

Indicates past conditional perfect of justifying something.

could have detailed

Indicates the past possibility of providing more details.

could have rationalized

Expresses past ability to provide a rational explanation.

would have presented

Expresses a past perfect conditional of presenting information.

might have justified

Suggests a potential past action of providing justification.

might have presented

Implies a potential past act of presenting information.

could have portrayed

Indicates a past ability to depict or represent something.

FAQs

How do I use "would have explained" in a sentence?

Use "would have explained" to describe a past hypothetical situation where someone could have provided an explanation, such as, "If I had known you were confused, I "would have explained" it differently".

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

You can use alternatives like "could have clarified", "might have elucidated", or "would have clarified" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "would had explained"?

No, "would had explained" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""would have explained"", which uses the auxiliary verb 'have' after 'would'.

What is the difference between "would explain" and "would have explained"?

"Would explain" typically refers to a habitual action in the past or a conditional action in the present or future, while ""would have explained"" refers to a hypothetical action that could have happened in the past but did not.