Would have...
Subject + would have + past participle verb phrase
This is used to to say that in the past the subject would have done something different to the person who did the event. They give advice on what has happened.
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: go to Tunisia
Advised event: go to Morocco
A: How was your holiday?
B: I didn't like it.
A: Where did you go?
B: We went to Tunisia.
A: I would have gone to Morocco.​
​
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The event (go to Tunisia) was in the past
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B went to Tunisia
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A would have gone to Morocco
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A did not go to Morocco
Review
Please look at this lesson on how to use 'would' if you do not know it.
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Subject + would + present tense verb phrase
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This is used to say what the subject would do for events in the future if they were the person.
Past
Now
Future
go to Morocco
I would go to Morocco.
Would vs Would have
Would
Would have
Past
Now
Future
Past
Now
I would go to Morocco.
​
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What the subject would do in the future
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Event has not happened yet
I would have gone to Morocco.
​
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What the subject would have done in the past
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The event has happened
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Did the subject go to Morocco? No.
Future
Explain
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: had a pizza
Advised event: had a burger
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The event was in the past
-
Someone had a pizza
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The subject says what they would have done
I would have had a burger.
Conversation
A: How was dinner?
B: It was nice to see my friends but the food wasn't good.
A: What did you have?
B: I had a pizza.
A: I would have had a burger. They look delicious there.
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: watched a terrible film
Hypothetical event: read a book
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The event was in the past
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Someone watched a terrible film
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The subject says what they would have done
I would have read a book.
Conversation
A: What did you do last night?
B: I watched a terrible film. It was called The Big Sick. Have you seen it?
A: Yes, it's awful. I would have read a book.
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: did not pick them up
Advised event: picked them up
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The event was in the past
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Someone did not pick their friend up from the airport
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The subject says what they would have done.
I would have picked them up.
NOTE: The person / people that do or do not do the event in the past can be the same person / people as the subject.
Conversation
A: What time is Becky getting here?
B: I'm not sure. She hasn't called from the train.
A: Why didn't you pick her up?
B: I am too busy. I would have picked them up but I can't.
Verbs
Vocabulary
Particular performances of a play, musical, piece of music etc.
Practice
A: Did you see that the Da Vinci exhibition has closed?
B: Oh no! I couldn't get tickets.
A: I couldn't either. I would have gone.
A: I went to see The Rolling Stones last week.
B: At Wembley?
A: Yes. I should have enjoyed it but it wasn't great.
B: I love The Rolling Stones. I would have enjoyed it.
A: Did Jamie listen to the new record yesterday?
B: No, he was busy all day.
Answer
He would have listened to it.
A: The new production of that musical is opening tomorrow.
B: I saw the production in New York. It was so good.
A:
Answer
I would have seen it when I was in New York.
A: Where's David?
B: He's gone to Thailand on holiday.
A: Oh that's right.
B: You've been to Thailand, haven't you. Did you tell him about things to do?
A: No,
Answer
I would have recommend things but I didn't see him.
Would have...but
Subject + would have + past participle verb phrase + but [reason]
We often say why we did not do something we intended to do by adding 'but' and then the reason.
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I would have recommended things but I didn't see him.
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I would have picked them up but I was busy.
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I would have watched it but it was too expensive.
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I would have seen it in New York but the tickets had sold out.
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I would have gone but I couldn't get tickets.
Would have - negative
Subject + would not have + past participle verb phrase
Explain
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: had a pizza
Advised event: not the actual event
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The event was in the past
-
Someone had a pizza
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The subject would not have had pizza
I would not have had a pizza.
Conversation
​
A: How was dinner?
B: It was nice to see my friends but the food wasn't good.
A: What did you have?
B: I had a pizza.
A: I wouldn't have had a pizza. I would have had a burger.
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: watched that film
Advised event: not to watch that film
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The event was in the past
-
Someone watched that film
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The subject says they would not have done that
I would not have watched that film.
Conversation
​
A: What did you do last night?
B: I watched a terrible film. It was called The Big Sick. Have you seen it?
A: Yes, I told you it was terrible. I wouldn't have watched it.
Practice
A: Did you go to see Jamie's new play?
B: I did but didn't enjoy it.
A: I wouldn't have gone.
B: Why?
A: I read the bad reviews.
A: What did you do last night?
B: Jack and I watched a film he recommended.
A: Was it good?
B: Jack loved it but it wasn't very funny. I wouldn't have watched it but Jack wanted to.
A: How was your holiday?
B: We didn't enjoy it. The food wasn't very good.
A: Oh no. Why did you go?
B: wouldn't / but / I / my wife / have / made me / gone
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Answer
I wouldn't have gone but my wife made me.
A: [yawns]
B: Tired?
A: Yes, I'm sorry. I went to a gig last night and it finished really late.
B: on a weekday / gone / have / I / wouldn't
Answer
I wouldn't have gone on a weekday.
Would have - Questions (?)
Direct
Direct questions ask the listener for a 'yes' or 'no' answer.​
Would + subject + have + past participle verb phrase
Conversations
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A: I threw away my daughter's favourite toy. Would you have done that?
B: No, it should be her choice.
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A: I went to see an opera yesterday night.
B: What did you think?
A: I didn't enjoy it. Would you have enjoyed it?
A: Yeah, I like operas.
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A: My husband heard a terrible conversation between his boss and his secretary.
B: Would you have listened to it?
A: Yes, it would have been great gossip.
To ask the speaker their opinion you could add 'do you think' at the front.
Do you think + subject + would + have + past participle verb phrase
Do you think you would have done that?
Do you think you would have gone?
Do you think he would have listened?
Indirect
Question word + would + subject + have + past participle phrase
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: had a pizza
Advised event: ????
What would you have had?
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: gone to the exhibition
Advised event: ????
Where would you have gone?
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: watched that film
Advised event: ????
Answer
What would you have watched?
A: Where's David this week?
B: He's gone to France on holiday?
A: Oh, that's right. Did you recommend anywhere?
B: Yes, I recommended a restaurant near the Eiffel Tower.
A: Really? It's so expensive around there.
B: Well,
Answer
where would you have recommend?
A: Did you go to a music festival this summer?
B: Yes, I went to Glastonbury festival and saw The Flaming Lips.
A: Did you? I was there and saw someone else while The Flaming Lips were playing. They were much better.
B:
A: The Rolling Stones.
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Answer
Who would you have seen?