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would have got lost vs could have got lost

Both "would have got lost" and "could have got lost" are correct but are used in different contexts. "Would have got lost" implies a higher degree of certainty or likelihood than "could have got lost." The choice between the two depends on the level of certitude or possibility you want to convey.
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Explained by Rob
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: December 27, 2024 • 8512 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a higher degree of certainty or likelihood.

"would have got lost"

This phrase is used to talk about a situation in the past where it was very likely or certain that someone would have become lost.

Examples:

  • If you hadn't given me directions, I would have got lost.
  • Without a map, we would have got lost in the forest.
  • I would have got lost in the city if I hadn't followed the signs.
  • Nov 6, 2020 ... We would have got lost if it _______ the map - Would have been - Hadn't been for - Hadn't been - Hadn't done
  • Aug 25, 2022 ... Then he would have got lost and somehow ended up in the mirroworld after Luffy's victory. Then Pekoms rescues both of them. Upvote 2
  • Oct 28, 2024 ... If mum didn't tell me then that I was special, I would have got lost in the shadows!. With hair drenched in coconut oil and thick glasses to ...
  • Aug 13, 2014 ... Yes. (*edit) "I would have been lost" or "I would have got lost" (if it hadn't been ...
  • Fortunately we had a good map, without which we would have got lost. In spoken English we often keep the preposition after the verb in the relative clause ...
  • ... reach out again because it would have got lost in the fray. Jo-Anne Smith and 8 others. 󰤥 9. 󰤦. 󰤧. Tricia at Kurly's Esthetics profile picture. Tricia ...
  • Jan 20, 2009 ... ... would have got lost [;)] I heard from a luthier in Spain that these guitars can suffer cracks as seasoned wood is in short supply and ...
  • Aug 9, 2016 ... December to Feb for big snow. We skied the trees and no back country necessary BUT we had a guide and I would have got lost if we hadn't!
  • Nov 24, 2021 ... It probably would have got lost exchanging it with the MS servers ? So there “should” be a way to backup that file, so you can restore it if ...
  • Sep 15, 2020 ... We would have got lost if it _____ the map. hadn't been for hadn't done hadn't been would have been. 2. See answers. Unlocked badge showing an ...

Alternatives:

  • would have become lost
  • would have gotten lost

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a possibility or likelihood of getting lost.

"could have got lost"

This phrase is used to talk about a situation in the past where there was a possibility or likelihood that someone could have become lost.

Examples:

  • If we had taken the wrong turn, we could have got lost.
  • I could have got lost in the crowd if you hadn't held my hand.
  • She could have got lost in the maze without a guide.
  • Apr 8, 2019 ... We could have got lost. - always says that "it actually did not happen = we didn´t get lost" (Is this true?) But ...
  • May 3, 2023 ... I could have got lost. I distinguish the difference between these as follows: The difference is in the kind of possibility they express, not ...
  • They could have got lost. We use could to make general statements about the past: It could be very cold there in winter. (= It was sometimes very cold there ...
  • Jun 18, 2024 ... Ladies and gentlemen! Out of respect for our citizens, stop stamping!” I could have got lost in the story, somewhere between diverting and ...
  • Feb 22, 2021 ... People change address all the time. It could have got lost in the post. I could have died recently. So they must just send out letters to far ...
  • Aug 8, 2024 ... ... of Console, which is just a downgraded version of PC. So things could have got lost on the way there. Upvote 1. Downvote Reply reply. Award
  • Jan 7, 2021 ... Should I be worried that mail could have got lost? Why are people mailing checks for estimated payments? Both state and federal estimated taxes ...
  • Jun 6, 2023 ... I absolutely do not believe that they could have got lost so early into the hike on a well used trail......there were truly other parties ...
  • Aug 31, 2019 ... ... could have got lost somewhere. So I want both hum buckers to be coli split, and I want both knobs to be Volume knobs, so no tone. So far I ...
  • Nov 30, 2009 ... At each one of these the e-mail could have got lost or delayed, so it could well be that your landlord's estate agent is telling the truth ...

Alternatives:

  • could have become lost
  • could have gotten lost

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