Hi,
What is the difference between two:
1. Would-be-husband.
2. Husband-to-be.
If there is any difference between the two then in which circumstances these will be used.
( I have given just an example of would be and to be, there could be would-be-lender or lender-to-be etc.)
If both are same, is there any other way to say the same expression.
Thanks in advance
Zuhair
The first refers to someoneone who would like to be someone's husband, though he has possibly had no encouragement. One thinks of Lizzy Bennet's would-be husband, Mr Collins, in Pride and Prejudice.
Husband to be means future husband, the man who will/would later become the husband of the person concerned.