could also have

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could also have" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate an alternative possibility or option that was available in the past. Example: "She could also have chosen a different career path if she had wanted to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But "Wozzeck" could also have been included.

The New York Times - Arts

He could also have played 27 Ra27

The New York Times

The convictions could also have political consequences.

The New York Times

We could also have theme and variations.

Yale University

Cytokines, however, could also have neuroprotective properties.

Pediatric Neurology

Other interactions could also have contributions.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics

(You could also have a picnic beforehand).

The Guardian - Travel

It could also have been better.

The New York Times - Arts

They could also have turned out better.

The Guardian

Black could also have tried 20... Qd6.

The New York Times

They could also have unpredictable chemical properties.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a series of options, use "could also have" to smoothly transition to an additional, related possibility.

Common error

Avoid using "could also have" when discussing actions that were impossible or highly improbable. The phrase implies a realistic, alternative choice existed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could also have" functions as a modal auxiliary phrase, indicating an alternative possibility or a potential action that could have occurred in the past. As Ludwig indicates, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

28%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could also have" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that introduces alternative possibilities or actions in the past. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and high frequency across diverse sources like news, scientific publications, and academic texts. While variations exist, such as "might also have" or "may also have", the core function remains consistent: presenting an alternative that was viable but didn't occur. Remember to use it when the alternative was realistically possible to ensure clarity and avoid misleading the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might also have

Indicates a slightly lower probability than "could also have".

may also have

Similar to "might also have", suggesting possibility.

could alternatively have

Emphasizes the alternative nature of the possibility.

could equally have

Highlights that the alternative is equally likely.

could instead have

Suggests a replacement of one option with another.

could as well have

Implies a sense of indifference between options.

would also have been able to

Highlights the ability to do something in addition to what was done.

could in addition have

Formally adds another possibility.

could on top of that have

Informally adds another possibility.

could further have

Suggests an additional possibility or action.

FAQs

How to use "could also have" in a sentence?

Use "could also have" to suggest an alternative action or outcome that was possible in the past. For example, "They could have gone to the park, but they "could also have" stayed home".

What can I say instead of "could also have"?

You can use alternatives like "might also have", "may also have", or "could alternatively have" depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is it different from "could have also"?

"Could also have" typically places emphasis on the alternative nature of the possibility, whereas "could have also" simply adds another option. Both are generally acceptable, but their subtle differences in emphasis can affect sentence flow.

When is it inappropriate to use "could also have"?

It's best to avoid using "could also have" when discussing scenarios that were entirely impossible or unrealistic. This phrase implies a viable alternative existed within the given circumstances.