would have prevailed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would have prevailed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a hypothetical situation in which someone or something would have been successful if certain conditions had been met. Example: "If the team had played their best, they would have prevailed in the championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thus, alternate chills and heat waves would have prevailed.

Columbia University

In the past, sensible heads would have prevailed.

The Guardian - Business

"They either would have prevailed or at least created a campaign issue," Hunt writes.

Harvard University

"If they had gone to trial, the government would have prevailed," he said.

The New York Times

They either would have prevailed or at least created a campaign issue.

The New York Times

This boosted economic activity beyond the level that would have prevailed with more sensible policies.

The Washington Post

I don't know whether remain would have prevailed if those cases had been made.

The Guardian - Opinion

The abrupt dénouement left unclear just which side would have prevailed.

The New York Times

Whether they would have prevailed if the bill had come to a vote is anyone's guess.

The New York Times

I would have argued we should have gone into Iraq but his opinion would have prevailed.

The New York Times

"We believe that we ultimately would have prevailed were these claims to have gone to trial".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would have prevailed" to express a hypothetical outcome where success was contingent on certain conditions. For example, "If they had invested more, they "would have prevailed" in the market."

Common error

Avoid using "would have prevailed" when a simple past tense is sufficient. For instance, instead of "They would have prevailed yesterday if it hadn't rained", consider "They would have won yesterday if it hadn't rained".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would have prevailed" functions as a conditional perfect construction, expressing a hypothetical outcome in the past. It is used to indicate that a certain party would have been victorious or successful had circumstances been different. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would have prevailed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to express a hypothetical past victory or success. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Its usage is common in diverse contexts, including news, academia, and formal business settings, with a neutral to formal register. When writing, ensure the correct tense and avoid replacing it with incorrect forms like "would of prevailed". Consider alternatives such as "would have succeeded" or "would have won" based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would have succeeded

Focuses on achieving a desired outcome, differing slightly in emphasizing the accomplishment itself.

would have won

Highlights victory or triumph, often in a competitive context.

would have triumphed

Emphasizes a significant victory after a struggle or challenge.

would have been victorious

Formally states the condition of having achieved victory.

would have overcome

Focuses on surpassing obstacles to achieve a desired result.

would have been the winner

States the condition of being the one who wins.

would have been successful

Indicates that the intended result would have been achieved.

would have carried the day

Suggests winning a specific event or situation.

would have taken the lead

Highlights the act of assuming a dominant position.

would have gained the upper hand

Emphasizes achieving a strategic advantage over others.

FAQs

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

The phrase "would have prevailed" indicates that someone or something would have been successful if a certain condition had been met. For example, "If we had more resources, we "would have prevailed"."

What are some alternatives to "would have prevailed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "would have succeeded", "would have won", or "would have triumphed", depending on the specific context.

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

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

What is the difference between "would prevail" and "would have prevailed"?

"Would prevail" suggests a future possibility or general tendency, while "would have prevailed" refers to a hypothetical situation in the past. For example, "Justice would prevail" versus "Justice "would have prevailed" if the evidence had been presented differently."