[General] "Would be" vs "To be"

[Zuhair Abbas]

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

 

[5jj]

1. Would-be-husband.
2. Husband-to-be.

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.