Could have vs could of

The correct phrase is 'could have.' 'Could of' is a common mistake due to the way it sounds when spoken, but it is grammatically incorrect. 'Could have' is the correct form to express possibility or past ability.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 1195 views

Correct. 'Could have' is the correct form to express possibility or past ability.

"Could have"

Use 'could have' to indicate a possibility or past ability. It is the correct grammatical form.

Examples:

I could have gone to the party if I had known about it.
She could have finished the project on time if she 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:

could've
could've
could've
could've
could've

'Could of' is incorrect. It is a common mistake based on the way it sounds when spoken.

"could of"

Show examples from the web [+]

They've ruined what they could of this country, its institutions.
I could of gotten you in The New Yorker, or in the encyclopedia brittanica if I wanted to.
But when I heard about the Arab, I could of killed you.
"I could of told you before that she was no good - like all females!"
I could of done this walking on my own back in Staunton.
I could of sworn they were in my jacket when I got on.
Cara, there's nothing you could of done.
Bomber could of killed a dozen people if he wanted to.
I just wish it could of gone in a different way.
Collecting everything we could of theirs, the Lisbon girls wouldn't leave our minds.
You could of told us Nancy's dad was the prince of darkness.
And the way that car is trashed, this body could of flown, you know, a little ways.
That's a guy who could of used a little liability coverage.
We ran what we could of his facial features through recog, and we got a good partial hit.
Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice And could of men distinguish, her election
You know it's really too bad, we could of had some real fun together
Do it the best you can... and go home because I had arduously argued... through other versions to try and get the best version... that we could of the though I didn't think it was necessary.
Could of at least returned one of my calls.
could of got an agent.
What or who could of...

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Could have vs could of

"Could have"

"could of"

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