would have passed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would have passed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a hypothetical situation in the past that did not occur, often in conditional sentences. Example: "If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"It would have passed me".

The New York Times

It's one test I would have passed.

The New York Times

Many a West would have passed, letting his partner stew.

The New York Times

How many murderers would have passed today's background checks?

The New York Times

It would have passed the House with Democratic votes.

The Economist

The benefit cuts alone would have passed easily.

The New York Times

Published in any other paper, it would have passed unnoticed.

The Guardian

Without a vocal opposition, those laws likely would have passed.

MIT Technology Review

"It would have passed in any case," replies Estragon.

The Guardian

Often, Montgomery would have passed to either of them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Fouchier, for one, thinks that his work would have passed probably.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would have passed" to describe hypothetical past events or situations. For example: "If the weather had been better, the flight would have passed without turbulence."

Common error

Avoid using "would of passed"; the correct form is "would have passed". The contraction "would've" is acceptable in informal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would have passed" functions as a conditional perfect construction, expressing a hypothetical outcome in the past. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically sound and widely used. It indicates what would have happened under different circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would have passed" is a grammatically correct and versatile conditional perfect construction used to express hypothetical past outcomes. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. Remember to avoid the common error of "would of passed" and instead use "would have passed" or the contraction "would've". Understanding the nuances and appropriate usage of this phrase will enhance your ability to communicate effectively and express complex ideas with clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could have succeeded

Focuses on the potential for success rather than simply passing a threshold.

might have cleared

Emphasizes overcoming an obstacle or meeting a requirement.

should have been approved

Suggests an expectation or entitlement to passing.

could have made it

Highlights the possibility of achieving a goal.

might have qualified

Indicates the potential to meet certain criteria.

would have been accepted

Focuses on acceptance or approval in a hypothetical scenario.

would have been sufficient

Emphasizes adequacy or being enough to meet a standard.

could have been validated

Highlights the possibility of confirmation or verification.

might have endured

Indicates the potential to withstand or survive a challenge.

would have been ratified

Focuses on formal approval or confirmation.

FAQs

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

Use "would have passed" to describe a hypothetical situation in the past that did not occur. For example: "If he had studied harder, he "would have passed" the exam."

What are some alternatives to "would have passed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "could have succeeded", "might have cleared", or "should have been approved", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "would of passed"?

No, "would of passed" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""would have passed"". "Would've" is the contracted form of "would have" and is acceptable in informal writing.

What's the difference between "would have passed" and "could have passed"?

"Would have passed" suggests a hypothetical outcome that was likely or expected, while "could have passed" indicates a possibility without implying the likelihood.