might have been doing vs might have done

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Might have been doing' is used to talk about an action that was ongoing in the past, while 'might have done' is used to talk about a completed action in the past. They cannot be directly compared as they serve different purposes.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1821 views

might have been doing

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to an ongoing action that was happening in the past.

This phrase is used to talk about an action that was ongoing in the past. It implies that the action started before a certain point in the past and may have continued after that point.

Examples:

He might have been studying when I called him.
She might have been cooking dinner when the guests arrived.
I might have been sleeping when you knocked on the door.
They might have been playing soccer when it started raining.
The cat might have been sleeping all day.

Show examples from the web [+]

Ask them what ms.Scott might have been doing here.
You know, the guy who might have been doing surgery in the secret tunnels.
Okay, so you're saying whatever either one of us might have been doing will remain forever -
And do you have any idea what he might have been doing at the Victor Fink Gallery in Chelsea? No.
Can you tell us what your brother might have been doing in the park?
Might have been doing some fundraising for you, selling some of your chocolate-covered almonds.

might have done

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a completed action in the past.

This phrase is used to talk about an action that was completed in the past. It implies that the action happened at some point before the present moment.

Examples:

She might have done her homework already.
He might have done the dishes before we got home.
I might have done something wrong.
They might have done a great job on the project.
The dog might have done something to upset the neighbors.

Show examples from the web [+]

For what he might have done.
Needs to know she might have done something right.
Everything I might have done has been erased.
I might have done it without thinking...
If I'd known how this would all fall out I might have done things different.
I might have done one or two things differently, but we can adjust that along the way.
But I am kind of worried about what I might have done.
Whoever did this might have done the same thing to him.
I might have done the same thing.
Well, if she thought he was an insider, she might have done something to trap him.
Okay, I get that. I might have done the same thing.
Vaughn might have done a drive-by for final preparations on the job.
And I might have done the same thing when I told you that your mom is a princess.
I might have done a piece of time with a fellow like that once.
And I think a great white might have done this.
I suppose the Bursar might have done.
You might have done much better without me.
In hospital I might have done something.
I don't know. I might have done.
Dave might have done this just to annoy Dad.

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might have been doing vs might have done