What Is the Difference between "Would Have" and "Would Have Been"?

by Vivek
(Panipat, India)

What is the difference between "would have" and "would have been"?


Answer:

"Would have" is used together with a main verb.

When you see "would have" in a sentence it means that the action didn't actually happen, because something else didn't happen first.

Here are some examples (the main verb is bold):

- If I had received the money, I would have given it to you.
(Meaning: I didn't receive the money, so I didn't give it to you.)

- If she had studied for the exam, she would have passed it.
(Meaning: She didn't study for the exam, so she didn't pass it.)

- You would have helped if you had known about the accident.
(Meaning: You didn't know about the accident, so you didn't help.)


Now, you can also use the verb "be" as a main verb after "would have."

Here are some examples (the main verb is bold):

- If they had left earlier, they would have been here already.
(Meaning: They didn't leave earlier, so they are not here now.)

- If John had won the contest, he would have been happier.
(Meaning: John didn't win the contest, so he is not happier now.)

- I would have been a lawyer if I had finished my degree.
(Meaning: I didn't finish my degree, so I am not a lawyer.)

See also English Conditionals.