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could be used vs could have been used

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Could be used' is used to talk about present or future possibilities, while 'could have been used' is used to talk about past possibilities. Therefore, the choice between the two depends on the tense you are using in your sentence.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 2600 views

could be used

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about present or future possibilities.

This phrase is used to express the possibility of using something in the present or future. It implies that the thing in question is currently available or could potentially be used.

Examples:

This tool could be used to fix the problem.
The new technology could be used to improve efficiency.
The funds could be used for various projects.

Show examples from the web [+]

1 day ago ... The incident could be used by Nick Gordon's lawyer, Jose Baez, as evidence that Nick did nothing wrong. Jose could argue that Bobbi's ...
6 days ago ... Internet of Things: Anything You Track Could Be Used Against You. Lawyers - not security advocates - have fired the first salvos over wearable ...
How RFID Tags Could Be Used to Track Unsuspecting People. A privacy activist argues that the devices pose new security risks to those who carry them, often ...
1 day ago ... Nose balloon could be used to treat glue ear. Share: Email share · Twitter share · Facebook share. Save: Google Bookmarks · NHS Choices ...

Alternatives:

can be used
might be used
may be used
is able to be used
is possible to be used

could have been used

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about past possibilities.

This phrase is used to express the possibility of something being used in the past. It implies that the opportunity or ability to use something existed in the past.

Examples:

The old method could have been used as a backup.
The resources could have been used more effectively.
The budget could have been used for other purposes.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jun 5, 2015 ... ... sensitive, personal information that could have been used to blackmail or bribe government employees to obtain secrets, officials said Friday.
... Target breach and consider some of the Critical Controls that could have been used to both prevent this breach and mitigate losses. Copyright SANS Institute.
Jun 3, 2015 ... THE millions spent sprucing up President Jacob Zuma's home in Nkandla could have been used to safely transport children to school, build ...
Sep 2, 2014 ... Software That Could Have Been Used to Hack Celebs Is Available to Anyone. By now you've heard about the massive cache of nude photos ...

Alternatives:

might have been used
may have been used
could potentially have been used
was able to be used
was possible to be used

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