might have been vs could have been

Both 'might have been' and 'could have been' are correct and commonly used in English. They are both used to express possibilities or hypothetical situations in the past. The choice between them depends on the context and the level of certainty or possibility the speaker wants to convey.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1325 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a possibility or uncertainty about a past event.

"might have been"

This phrase is used to talk about something that possibly happened in the past but is not certain. It implies a lower level of certainty compared to 'could have been.'

Examples:

He might have been at the party last night, but I'm not sure.
The package might have been delivered while we were out.
She might have been the one who called you earlier.

Show examples from the web [+]

While anti-virus scanning, pictures might have been deleted.
It might have been a mistake to open that second bottle of wine.
And your father, things might have been different.
Meeting them might have been awkward.
Being invisible might have been useful when I was alive, but this is unbearable.
It might have been a politician. It might have been a breakthrough.
If I had known, it might have been rough.
And a foolish man might have been tempted.
I would always wonder what might have been.
Soul mates torn apart by circumstances beyond their control... doomed to wonder what might have been.
Seen 4,000 years ago, around about when the Temple might have been built.
A further important point might have been missed.
He might have been carrying those groceries for hours.
It's very hard to tell what it might have been.
Nevertheless, he might have been referring to something in particular.
But she might have been forced.
Another Billy Conn you might have been.
A reflection of you as you might have been.
There might have been an accident.
There might have been a struggle.

Alternatives:

may have been
could have been
might be
could be
may be

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a possibility or hypothetical situation in the past.

"could have been"

This phrase is used to talk about something that was possible in the past but not necessarily true. It implies a higher level of possibility compared to 'might have been.'

Examples:

It could have been a mistake on their part.
The keys could have been left on the table.
She could have been the winner of the competition.

Show examples from the web [+]

It could have been a business lunch.
But a body could have been wrapped in something.
You shouldn't have gone alone, it could have been dangerous.
- She could have been a powerful ally.
His daughter's murder could have been retribution.
Aid granted under this scheme could have been granted from 1984.
That could have been last week, last night.
Or he could have been planted there for us to find.
Tripp goddard could have been attacked by more than one person.
It could have been ripped off the victim.
It could have been touched by any number of people before that night.
Well, it could have been washed anywhere by the water.
He has so many enemies, it literally could have been anyone.
It could have been shaft, dolemite...
Our suspect could have been there, followed Brooke and Lewis back to their hotel room.
All this could have been ours if only you'd just...
We could have been breaking and entering.
That... that ring could have been for you.
Attacker could have been interrupted before he could nick it.
Anybody nearby could have been exposed.

Alternatives:

might have been
may have been
could be
might be
may be

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might have been vs could have been

"might have been"

"could have been"

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