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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary

Would have had to have said

Hi.

"Mr Mitchell’s close political ally David Davis claimed that PC Rowland would have had to have said 40 words in five seconds if the officer’s account was to be believed." [From The Independent.]

Does the would have had to have said mean must have said in the context?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

No. 'Would have had to have said' is hypothetical. 'Must have said' expresses logical certainty.

— Fivejedjon

  • No.
  • 'Would have had to have said' is hypothetical.
  • 'Must have said' expresses logical certainty.
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3 Answers
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No.

'Would have had to have said' is hypothetical. 'Must have said' expresses logical certainty.
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Thank you, Fivejedjon, for your useful reply.
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AnonymousDoes the would have had to have said mean must have said in the context?
Sort of. More or less. The real equivalent is between had to have said and must have said (without the would).

Rowland must have said that. ~ Rowland had to have said that.

would have is added because it's in a
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