He would not have left so soon, would he?
She moved from tree to tree, feeling the roughness of the bark beneath her fingers. Leaves brushed at her cheeks. Had she come too late? He would not have left so soon, would he? Or had he even been here? Dare she risk calling out? It seemed so hushed and still here . . .
“I feared you would not come, child.” (Game of Thrones)
Context: "he" is Ser Dontos, who made a secret appointment with "she", Sansa. He asked here to meet him in the Godswood where they would discuss his plan to help her out of the city. Sansa arrived early and wondered where Ser Dontos was.
Hi. Would you please tell me how you understand the part "He would not have left so soon"? What is the function of "would not have" here?
Thank you.
Top answer
It's the use of 'would' to show characteristic behavior. Present: Murder someone? He wouldn't do a thing like that.
- It's the use of 'would' to show characteristic behavior.
- Present: Murder someone?
- He wouldn't do a thing like that.
- ) Past: Murder someone?
- He wouldn't have done a thing like that.
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It's the use of 'would' to show characteristic behavior.
Present: Murder someone? He wouldn't do a thing like that. (He is not that kind of person.)
Past: Murder someone? He wouldn't have done a thing like that. (He is not that kind of person.)
He would not have left so soon, ~ It is not typical of him to have left so soon,
would he?
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