Mistake could have happened vs Mistake could have been happened

The correct phrase is 'mistake could have happened.' The use of 'been' in 'mistake could have been happened' is incorrect in English. The correct structure is 'could have + past participle,' so 'happened' is the correct form to use.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 2496 views

Mistake could have happened

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to express the possibility of a mistake occurring in the past. It follows the structure 'could have + past participle.'

Examples:

A mistake could have happened during the data transfer.
I'm not sure how the mistake could have happened.
Do you think a mistake could have happened in the calculations?
She was worried that a mistake could have happened in the report.
The mistake could have happened when the files were being copied.

Show examples from the web [+]

Requests immediate information on how this inexcusable mistake could have happened and requests that the Office takes the necessary consequences including proceedings against the department responsible;
We're still trying to figure out how this mistake happened, but it appears to have been the assistant in the Minister's office.
My friends and family should be enjoying the autumn in Silesia but some mistake happened and most of them are in SS camps while I am here with you.
This mistake shouldn't have happened, but once it did, it must be made right, not made worse.
We need to draw conclusions about how these past mistakes happened and how the staggering debt burden and deficits were created.
It was a-a tiny mistake just happened that one weekend.
And I'd like to be able to say to you that my worst mistakes only happened in the first five years of practice as many of my colleagues say, which is total B.S.
Then I realized my mistake and it never happened again.
I knew it was a mistake before anything even happened.
It was a mistake, and it happened.
I'd like to say that it was a... temporary, fleeting moment of weakness, a mistake that never happened before.
Didn't think you'd make the same mistake after what happened to you.
It is a mistake that has happened somewhere along the line and even at this late stage I feel you should reconsider it.
This is a mistake and it happened a long time ago.
In Europe we can do things if we learn from our mistakes, as has happened in my country.
It was a mistake, it happened, but that's it.
An event must have happened to trigger it, some kind of error or mistake in judgment.
If Tanner hadn't made that mistake, it wouldn't have happened.
Correcting a colleague's mistake could breed resentment.
This kind of mistake could cost his life.

Mistake could have been happened

This phrase is incorrect in English. The use of 'been' in this context is not appropriate.

Show examples from the web [+]

We're still trying to figure out how this mistake happened, but it appears to have been the assistant in the Minister's office.
My friends and family should be enjoying the autumn in Silesia but some mistake happened and most of them are in SS camps while I am here with you.
We need to draw conclusions about how these past mistakes happened and how the staggering debt burden and deficits were created.
It was a-a tiny mistake just happened that one weekend.
Requests immediate information on how this inexcusable mistake could have happened and requests that the Office takes the necessary consequences including proceedings against the department responsible;
And I'd like to be able to say to you that my worst mistakes only happened in the first five years of practice as many of my colleagues say, which is total B.S.
Then I realized my mistake and it never happened again.
I knew it was a mistake before anything even happened.
It was a mistake, and it happened.
I'd like to say that it was a... temporary, fleeting moment of weakness, a mistake that never happened before.
Didn't think you'd make the same mistake after what happened to you.
It is a mistake that has happened somewhere along the line and even at this late stage I feel you should reconsider it.
This is a mistake and it happened a long time ago.
In Europe we can do things if we learn from our mistakes, as has happened in my country.
It was a mistake, it happened, but that's it.
This mistake shouldn't have happened, but once it did, it must be made right, not made worse.
Correcting a colleague's mistake could breed resentment.
This kind of mistake could cost his life.
This scene has complex copper wiring, so a slight mistake could cause an accident...
This one mistake could kill his career.

Alternatives:

mistake could have been made
mistake could have occurred
mistake could have taken place
mistake could have happened
mistake could have occurred

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Mistake could have happened vs Mistake could have been happened