N'aurait-il (en. Wouldn't he have)

[noʁɛ il]

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

Interrogative form used to pose a hypothetical question.

Should he not have come to the meeting?

N'aurait-il pas dû venir à la réunion ?

Used to express doubt or a supposition.

Would it not have been preferable to choose another date?

N'aurait-il pas été préférable de choisir une autre date ?

Can be used to suggest an alternative.

Would it not have been better to start earlier?

N'aurait-il pas été mieux de commencer plus tôt ?

Often used in formal or literary contexts.

Would it not have been wiser to consult an expert?

N'aurait-il pas été plus sage de consulter un expert ?

From the verb 'to have' in the conditional, combined with an interrogative pronoun.

Would it not have been preferable?

Question about a better option.

N'aurait-il pas été préférable ?

Could he not have done it?

Doubt about someone's ability to accomplish a task.

N'aurait-il pas pu le faire ?

Should he not have...?

Inquiry about a duty or obligation.

N'aurait-il pas dû... ?

Should he

Expresses obligation or duty.

devrait-il

Could he

Expresses a possibility.

pourrait-il

Should have

Expresses a regret or an unfulfilled expectation.

aurait dû

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