could not have done vs could have not done

Both "could not have done" and "could have not done" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Could not have done" is the more common and natural construction in English, used to express that something was impossible to do in the past. On the other hand, "could have not done" is less common and is used to emphasize the negation of having done something in the past.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 1025 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express that something was impossible to do in the past.

"could not have done"

This phrase is used to indicate that it was not possible to do something in the past. It is often used to express regret or relief about a past event.

Examples:

I could not have done it without your help.
She could not have done anything to prevent the accident.
They could not have done better in the circumstances.
He could not have done more to support his friend.
We could not have done anything differently.

Show examples from the web [+]

We could not have done anything further, and it is not our responsibility if the Council has decided that for various reasons it still cannot appoint a new Commission.
He could not have done very much better with the mandate he was given, but he should now say, in his capacity as Danish Prime Minister, that enlargement will not end well unless there are radical reforms.
I believe in the circumstances we could not have done any better, but those three played a major role in that.
I should also like to thank the other Anna for the substantial work she has done on this matter, something we could not have done without.
So far, all we know is that the minister could not have done a worse job with Granada, and that through this lunatic method of theirs of giving everyone a turn, the ministers for culture have turned something that used to be important into a farce.
Art could not have done the murders.
You could not have done anything to anger him so.
I was sure you could not have done such a thing.
She could not have done this.
And I could not have done it without the brilliance of Liam McGuinnis.
Regina, we could not have done better for Angelo.
I could not have done it without Morgan's A/V expertise.
He could not have done that.
Tyr could not have done this alone, someone else is involved.
I could not have done this without your recruiting skills, Abed.
Cleopatra could not have done it better herself.
Agent Mulder could not have done it because he was with me.
Use your power of sight, and you'll see that I could not have done this terrible thing.
BRUSSELS - If French President Nicolas Sarkozy had written the prologue to his presidency of the G-20, which has just commenced, he could not have done better.
You know we could not have done this last year without you living here and helping.

Alternatives:

could not do
could not accomplish
could not achieve
could not perform
could not manage

This phrase is correct but less common in English. It is used to emphasize the negation of having done something in the past.

"could have not done"

This phrase is used to emphasize that something was not done in the past. It is often used for emphasis or to contrast with what was expected or assumed.

Examples:

I could have not done it any better.
She could have not done more to help.
They could have not done anything differently.
He could have not done it without your support.
We could have not done anything to change the outcome.

Show examples from the web [+]

They might and could have landed but have not done so.
Art could not have done the murders.
You could not have done anything to anger him so.
I was sure you could not have done such a thing.
She could not have done this.
The truth is, is most surgeons Could not have done what she did that day.
And I could not have done it without the brilliance of Liam McGuinnis.
Regina, we could not have done better for Angelo.
I could not have done it without Morgan's A/V expertise.
He could not have done that.
Tyr could not have done this alone, someone else is involved.
I could not have done this without your recruiting skills, Abed.
Cleopatra could not have done it better herself.
Londie, it could have not been done
A dentist said they could not have been done with any of the current equipment in use.
Agent Mulder could not have done it because he was with me.
I believe in the circumstances we could not have done any better, but those three played a major role in that.
Use your power of sight, and you'll see that I could not have done this terrible thing.
BRUSSELS - If French President Nicolas Sarkozy had written the prologue to his presidency of the G-20, which has just commenced, he could not have done better.
Many of us do not understand why this could not have been done in seven minutes, because it is clear that we have principles.

Alternatives:

could not have done
could have avoided
could have refrained from
could have abstained from
could have skipped

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could not have done vs could have not done