You'd have found out sooner or later

[lagoo]

This sentence, said by Simba's wicked uncle Scar when he heard that Simba's father didn't allow him to go to the shadowy place, is excerpted from the movie " Lion King I ".

We usually use "would have" to talk about lost opportunity.

So here in this sentence mentioned in the title, does it mean that you have a chance to find it out, but you have lost the chance?

But in the translated version in our native language, it says that means you'll find out it in the future.

I doubt if the translation is correct. Anyone help me, please.

 

[GoesStation]

Although you can use "would have" to talk about lost opportunity, we also use it to discuss an inevitability.

 

[lagoo]

Although you can use "would have" to talk about lost opportunity, we also use it to discuss an inevitability.

Thanks. But I am afraid I still don't understand what you've explained.

 

[GoesStation]

Scar was expressing inevitability, not lost opportunity, when he said "You'd have found out sooner or later." It was certain that Simba would find out.

I've been trying to think of cases where "would have" expresses lost opportunity. I don't think that's its usual meaning.

 

[andrewg927]

I have the feeling that you may not understand the word "inevitability". Look at the definitions 1 and 2 for "inevitable" (adjective form of inevitability)

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/inevitability

 

[andrewg927]

Here is one example for a lost opportunity: He would have won the contest had he not caught the flu.

 

[lagoo]

I have the feeling that you may not understand the word "inevitability". Look at the definitions 1 and 2 for "inevitable" (adjective form of inevitability)

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/inevitability

If the sentence were "You will have found out sooner or later", it'd be understandable to me.


But when the word "would" is substituted for "will", I am puzzled.


See more examples about "would have" http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/could-have-should-have-would-have.html

 

[GoesStation]

It wouldn't work with will. Only would fits Scar's meaning.

 

[andrewg927]

If the sentence were "You will have found out sooner or later", it'd be understandable to me.


But when the word "would" is substituted for "will", I am puzzled.


See more examples about "would have" http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/could-have-should-have-would-have.html

You use "would" if the event had already happened. It has been a while since I saw the Lion King so I can't be completely sure of the context.

Here are some examples with "would have".

Matt: Lisa found out you were lying to her about your whereabouts the other day.
Dave: Well, she would have found out sooner or later.

Mom: Your teacher told me you skipped class today.
Son: I knew you would have found out sooner or later.

"Will have" is only used for something that has not happened yet but will happen before another event in the future.

An example:

- You will have completed half of your bucket list before you turn 60 next week.

 

[probus]

If the sentence were "You will have found out sooner or later", it'd be understandable to me.


But when the word "would" is substituted for "will", I am puzzled.


See more examples about "would have" http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/could-have-should-have-would-have.html

We use would instead of will because the sentence is a kind of conditional and refers to a present or past context.

The unnatural "you will have found out" is never used. In "You will find out" the speaker is looking ahead to the future with certainty. His next utterance, if any, will be about the future.

But in "You would have ..." the speaker is talking about the present or past. The condition in this case is that "regardless of what you choose to do or not do" and "regardless of what else happened or failed to happen" the knowedge was certain to come to you eventually. Therefore the speaker's next utterance, if any, will not be about the future. It will be about the speaker's reason for doing what he or she has done or is doing.

In general, will is about the future, and would is about the present or past, in light​ of future circumstances.