[Grammar] I Would/I Would Have Done

[bagzi94]

Would you explain (to) me how to use both?

Are both correct:
I would do anything for you.
I would have done anything for you.

 

[Preceptor]

'I would do anything' expresses potential future action in the present time. That is to say, the speaker has the desire at present to undertake any activity for the other person in the future.

'I would have done anything' states that at a certain time in the past, the potential to do something existed, but does not any longer. That is to say, the speaker had the desire to undertake any activity for the other person, but the opportunity never came into being, and so the speaker never had the chance to undertake the activity.

Saying 'I would do anything for you' means that you are telling the other person that at any time in the future, you will undertake any activity for that person. Saying, 'I would have done anything for you' means that at some point in the past, you wanted to undertake any activity for that person, but the time for that action has come and gone.

 

[Tdol]

Would you explain (to) me how to use both?

Are both correct:
I would do anything for you.
I would have done anything for you.

They're both correct, but there needs to be a bit more context to give them meaning. For instance, with the first, why are you using would rather than will?

 

[5jj]

'I would do anything' expresses potential future action in the present time. That is to say, the speaker has the desire at present to undertake any activity for the other person in the future. [...]

Saying 'I would do anything for you' means that you are telling the other person that at any time in the future, you will undertake any activity for that person.

Athough any desired action must clearly be in the future, that future could be very close indeed. For example, the other person could respond, "Would youc all your boss and resign right now?"

 

[bagzi94]

TFor instance, with the first, why are you using would rather than will?

It just sounds wrong to me, sounds like a plan.
I would do anything for you sounds like a feeling.
Context: I love you. I would do anything for you. :-D

Thanks to all of you!