"might have been" vs "could have been"

Question

"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

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.

Alternatives:

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

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.

Alternatives:

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

Answer 1

might have been

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

Answer 2

could have been

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

"might have been" vs "could have been"

might have been

could have been

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