fellow believers/would not be able

[Tan Elaine]

My husband passed away on 12 June 2006 after fighting cancer for about six months. I would like to thank all my fellow believers for their constant prayers and support. Without them, I would not be able/wouldn't have been able to face the ordeal calmly.

1. Is 'fellow' needed or just 'believers?

2. Should it be 'would not been able' or 'wouldn't have been able'?

3. Are there any errors in the text.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bds51]

Hello Elaine,
Technically you are correct with fellow since it refers to either a male or female colleague or companion or friend and someone who is your equal (peer) and shares some or all of your experiences or interests. However, it is more often used in an academic context and in this case you could have softened the message with "all my believer friends" or all my friends and believers" or similar variations.

Re the ordeal: it's over and therefore you need a 3rd conditional i.e. wouldn't have been able or would not have been able. In any case, it could never be 'would not been'; either you need 'have' before been or you change it to 'would not be' and change the meaning completely.