would have married

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would have married" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a hypothetical situation in the past, often indicating what someone might have done under different circumstances. Example: "If she had not moved away, he would have married her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I would have married the girl.

Independent

"I would have married her.

The New York Times

But I would have married that girl.

The New Yorker

"I never thought you would have married somebody so heavy".

The New Yorker

Only a twisted person would have married him for love".

The New York Times - Books

She would have married Matt if Jim had not come along.

The New Yorker

"If I had not thought so, I never would have married him".

The New York Times

If I didn't like her artwork, I don't think I would have married her.

Independent

I would have married one of the women that I've had children with.

Independent

She met Billy Strayhorn and they fell in love and, barring Strayhorn's homosexuality, would have married.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Had I known then what I know now that you have the ability to attract ruby-throated hummingbirds yes, I probably would've married you".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would have married" to express a hypothetical situation in the past, particularly when discussing missed opportunities or alternative life paths. It clearly conveys a conditional statement about a past action.

Common error

Avoid using "would have married" to describe present or future intentions. This phrase exclusively refers to hypothetical past scenarios. Use "will marry" or "would marry" for other timeframes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would have married" functions as a modal perfect conditional, expressing a hypothetical action that could have occurred in the past under different circumstances. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in scenarios involving unrealized relationships and alternative life choices.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would have married" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a hypothetical past action, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in "News & Media", it expresses scenarios where marriage was a possibility but did not occur due to specific circumstances. It's crucial to use this phrase to refer to past hypothetical situations, avoiding its application to present or future intentions. Related phrases include "could have married" and "might have married", offering similar nuances in meaning. When writing, ensure the tense is accurate and that the context appropriately reflects a past hypothetical scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would've gotten married

Contraction used to shorten the expression, implying the same hypothetical past action.

could have wed

Uses "wed" as a more formal alternative to "married", suggesting a potential past action.

might have tied the knot

An idiomatic expression for getting married, indicating a hypothetical past decision.

would have taken as spouse

A more formal way of expressing the hypothetical act of marrying someone.

would have made their spouse

Focuses on the act of making someone a spouse, highlighting the relationship status.

would have exchanged vows

Emphasizes the ceremony and promises made during a wedding.

would have walked down the aisle

Focuses on the wedding ceremony tradition.

would have become husband and wife

Highlights the resulting status of marriage, emphasizing the roles.

would have said "I do"

Highlights the commitment of marriage.

would have joined in matrimony

Formal phrasing for the act of marrying.

FAQs

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

Use "would have married" to describe a hypothetical situation in the past. For example, "If they hadn't moved to different countries, they "would have married"."

What's the difference between "would have married" and "would marry"?

"Would have married" refers to a hypothetical past action that did not occur, while "would marry" indicates a conditional or habitual action. For instance, "He "would have married" her if she hadn't left" versus "He "would marry" anyone to avoid being alone."

Is it correct to say "would of married"?

No, "would of married" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "would have married". The contraction "would've" (would have) is acceptable in informal contexts.

Are there alternatives to "would have married"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "could have married", "might have married", or "would have tied the knot".