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Could have vs could

Both 'could have' and 'could' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Could have' is used to talk about past possibilities or actions that were possible but did not happen. 'Could' is used to express present or future possibilities or abilities.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 623 views

Could have

The phrase 'could have' is correct and commonly used in English to talk about past possibilities or actions that were possible but did not happen.

Use 'could have' to refer to something that was possible in the past but did not occur. It is often used in conditional sentences or regrets.

Examples:

I could have gone to the party, but I decided to stay home.
She could have passed the exam if she had studied more.
They could have won the game if they had played better.
He could have called me, but he forgot.
We could have finished the project on time if we had worked harder.

Show examples from the web [+]

Could have been anything, really.
Could have been a kid inside.
Could have gotten off with a slap on the wrist.
Could have been house priestess few years time.
Could have a very good effect on you.
Could have beaten around the bush a little.
I mean, our driver Could have dumped the body anywhere.
Could have sworn I parked right around here.
Could have been a wrench or something.
Could have told you she was trouble.
Could have been an integrity check.
Could have figured into his plan.
Could have eaten shellfish or peanuts.
Could have been what incited today's incident.
Could have been switched long ago.
Could have been anyone, at any time.
Could have been a couple places.
Could have met the caller there.
Could have brain leaking from my ear.
Could have been anyone who knew.

Alternatives:

might have
should have
would have

could

The word 'could' is correct and commonly used in English to express present or future possibilities or abilities.

Use 'could' to talk about present or future possibilities or abilities. It is often used to make polite requests or to show uncertainty.

Examples:

I could help you with that.
She could be at home by now.
They could win the competition if they train hard.
He could come to the party if he finishes work early.
We could go to the beach tomorrow if the weather is nice.

Show examples from the web [+]

Each delegation could reasonably comprise 12 members.
I could find electrical work, you could landscape.
You could be American-Italian; you could be American-Irish; you could be British-Pakistani.
You could say something... that could reveal your location or his.
How could I thought I could leave unharmed...
It could double the amount of weapons we could bring online.
We could... well, you could forget your life in this place.
I could send for another horse... and we could ride together.
If we could dream it, Simon could build it.
Only the persons who could locate the Dragon Tomb could share this country with me.
It could be exhaustion, or you could have a summer flu.
They could create massive storms that could scuttle any landing attempts on the beaches.
It could give us reasonable doubt if I could just suggest to the jury...
Then you could shoot me and I could sleep.
We could forge a real alliance that could last generations.
He could seal his prisoners in there and no one could hear them scream.
I could never separate myself from the job like you could.
Nothing Scrooge could do or say could stop the relentless march of those terrible bells.
Perhaps you could have him call me and I could explain the legalities.
That she could sniff it out when nobody else could.

Alternatives:

can
may
might

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