No test that you wouldn't have had done before
Is this phrase grammatical? There's no idiom such as would (not) have or have done.
What about No test you hadn't had done before?
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1Are you certain that quote is a sentence? It looks like a noun phrase.– LawrenceCommented Mar 28, 2021 at 17:02
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Of course, it's fine. That is not a test you wouldn't have had done before [now]. to have a test done, to not have a test done. In speaking, we often drop: "[That's] no test you wouldn't have had done before. The "That's" is implied.– LambieCommented Aug 25, 2021 at 23:02
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1 Answer
No test that you wouldn't have had done before
The above is a prediction, i.e. "From my experience as an eye specialist I can predict/surmise that you will have had this test before".
Strictly speaking the original isn't a complete sentence. We can make it so in various ways, e.g.
I shall administer no test that you wouldn't have had done before.
No test that you wouldn't have had done before will be given.
There will be no test that you wouldn't have had done before.
Those are perfectly correct, complete sentences.
Alternatives
No test that you won't have had done before. (prediction)
No test you haven't had done before. (certainty/knowledge)
answered Oct 29, 2020 at 11:35
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Do both will and would work in the positive, A test you will/would surely have already had done?– GJCCommented Oct 29, 2020 at 12:04
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For me, the distinction is one of politeness. "would" is conditional (with an implied and unspecified condition) thus not requiring the patient to agree. Commented Oct 29, 2020 at 12:13
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Then what's the modality of would here, especially in relation to will?– GJCCommented Oct 29, 2020 at 12:18