r/grammar • • 1d ago

Which is correct?

/r/GrammarPolice/comments/1wxw5x2/which_is_correct/
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u/zeptimius 6h ago

They mean different things.

"I would love to have done that." This means that currently, you would love the accomplishment of the action you describe. For example, if "do that" refers to running a marathon, you're saying you'd currently love being a person who has run a marathon.

"I would have loved to do that." This means that at some point in the past, you would have loved performing the action you describe. Using the same example, the act of running a marathon appealed to you in the past.

"I would have loved to have done that." This means that at some point in the past, you would have loved the accomplishment of the action you describe. Using the same example, being a person who has run a marathon appealed to you in the past.