would or would have ?

[hitesh70]

which one is correct and what is the difference?

1) if you had sailed any slower , war would be over

1) if you had sailed any slower , war would have been over

i think would and would have are exchangeable in this case. it dose not make big difference. is that right?

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Hello, Hitesh:

This is a true story.

Last Friday, I went for my daily walk.

I was walking on the sidewalk when an automobile suddenly pulled into the driveway that I was crossing.

If I had not seen the car, I would have been killed.

(But I did see the car, so I was not killed! I was able to get out of the car's way in time.)

In that sentence, it would not be correct to write "I would be killed."

(Compare: I always try to cross the street carefully. I know that if a car hits me, I will be severely injured or killed.

*** Yesterday I crossed the street carefully. I knew that if a car hit me, I wouid be severely injured or killed.)


James

 

[5jj]

If you had sailed any slower, (in the past) the war would be over (now, in the present. We would be in a state of peace).
If you had sailed any slower, (in the past) the war would have been over (by now. The war would have ended before now).

There is little practical difference in meaning.

24 hours after the war ended, we can say:
The war is over.
The war has been over since yesterday.

 

[hitesh70]

Thank you all. I have got my answer.