The phrase "what would happen" is commonly used to ask about the possible outcome or consequence of a hypothetical situation or action. It is often employed to speculate about future events or results under certain conditions. For example, "What would happen if I refuse to help her?" explores the potential consequences of refusing help
. In contrast, "what would have happened" refers to speculation about a past event that did not occur, considering an alternative outcome. For example, "What would have happened if you didn't clear the misunderstanding between us?" reflects on a hypothetical past scenario
. Additionally, "What Would Happen" is also the title of a song by American singer-songwriter Meredith Brooks from her 1997 album Blurring the Edges
. In summary:
- "What would happen?" is used for hypothetical future or present situations.
- "What would have happened?" is used for hypothetical past situations.
This distinction helps clarify the timing and nature of the speculation being made.
