would not happen

USAGE SUMMARY

"would not happen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is not likely or will not occur. For example, "He said he would never forget me, but I knew that would not happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That would not happen now.

The Economist

That would not happen, though.

The New York Times

This would not happen to the Odyssey.

The New Yorker

He said that would not happen.

The New York Times - Sports

Progress would not happen without them.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Taylor said that would not happen.

The New York Times

This would not happen overnight.

The New York Times

"I quickly learned this would not happen.

The New York Times

Mr. Ireland said that would not happen.

The New York Times

We wish that this would not happen.

The New Yorker

"Clearly this would not happen," they said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would not happen" to express a strong belief or certainty that something will not occur, often to reassure someone or counter a concern.

Common error

Avoid using "would not happen" when a different tense is more appropriate. For instance, use "will not happen" for future predictions or "did not happen" for past events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would not happen" functions as a modal construction used to express a negated prediction or to indicate that an event is considered unlikely or impossible under certain conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Social Media

1%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would not happen" is a commonly used modal construction to express that something is unlikely or impossible. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to reassure, counter fears, or express confidence. While versatile, it's important to use the correct tense and avoid it when a simple past tense is more appropriate. Alternatives such as "will not occur" or "is unlikely to occur" can add formality when needed. Be sure to use "would not happen" to express a strong belief that something will not occur, reassuring someone or countering concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is simply impossible

Expresses that something cannot occur because it contradicts reality or logic.

will not occur

Emphasizes the certainty that an event will be prevented or avoided.

will never be

Highlights the absolute certainty that something will not come to pass.

is not going to happen

Provides a more informal and direct way of stating the impossibility of an event.

is out of the question

Highlights that something is completely unacceptable or impossible.

is unlikely to occur

Indicates a lower probability of the event taking place.

is not an option

Indicates that something is not a possible choice or course of action.

is not feasible

Focuses on the impracticality or impossibility of something being done.

cannot be allowed

Emphasizes that something must be prevented or forbidden.

is not in the cards

Suggests that something is not destined or planned to occur.

FAQs

How can I use "would not happen" in a sentence?

You can use "would not happen" to express that something is not likely to occur. For example, "I thought I would fail the exam, but that "would not happen" because I studied hard".

What's a more formal way to say "would not happen"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "will not occur" or "is unlikely to occur". These phrases convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated register.

Is "would not happen" the same as "will not happen"?

While similar, "would not happen" often implies a conditional or hypothetical situation, whereas "will not happen" is a more direct statement about the future. "If I take precautions, this "will not happen"" vs. "If he had taken precautions, this "would not happen"".

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "would not happen"?

A common mistake is using "would not happen" when a simple past tense construction like "didn't happen" is more appropriate to describe an event that definitively did not occur in the past.