could has made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could has made" is not correct in written English.
It is a grammatically incorrect combination of modal and auxiliary verbs. Example: "If he had tried harder, he could have made a difference."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But I have to admit it: "The Little Engine That Could" has made its way into my head.

The New York Times

The little red robot that could has made it all the way to Orlando, Fla., from its humble birthplace on Flatbush Avenue.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We could have made other plans.

The New York Times - Sports

Generally, he could have made better decisions.

The New York Times - Sports

And who could have made it?

Independent

"I could have made that better".

The New Yorker

Technically, almost anyone could have made it.

The New York Times - Arts

We could have made a documentary.

The New York Times - Arts

It could have made quite a tableau.

The Guardian

Rudy, you could've made us proud.

The New York Times

Even I could have made that decision".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "could have made" instead of "could has made". The auxiliary verb "have" is essential for forming the past modal construction.

Common error

Avoid mixing up verb forms. "Could" requires "have" + past participle (e.g., made) to express a past possibility. Using "has" incorrectly creates a grammatical error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could has made" is an incorrect attempt to form a past modal construction. A proper construction would use the auxiliary verb "have" instead of "has". Ludwig AI points out that this phrase is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could has made" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "could have made". While Ludwig provides examples of its usage, this does not validate the phrase, instead it indicates the frequency with which such error is done. The intended meaning is to express a past possibility. It's crucial to use the correct auxiliary verb "have" to maintain grammatical accuracy, especially in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could have made

Uses the correct auxiliary verb "have" to form the past perfect modal construction, expressing a past possibility.

might have made

Replaces "could" with "might", offering a similar nuance of possibility but potentially with a slightly lower degree of certainty.

was able to make

Indicates a confirmed ability to create or achieve something.

managed to make

Emphasizes the effort or difficulty overcome in achieving the making of something.

succeeded in making

Highlights the successful completion of the creation or achievement.

had the capacity to make

Focuses on the inherent ability or potential to create something.

would have been able to make

Suggests a conditional ability in the past, dependent on certain circumstances.

was in a position to make

Highlights the favorable circumstances that allowed for something to be made.

had the opportunity to make

Focuses on the availability of a chance or occasion to create something.

was empowered to make

Emphasizes the authority or authorization to create something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "could has made"?

The correct form is "could have made". The modal verb 'could' requires the auxiliary verb 'have' to form the past perfect construction.

What does "could have made" mean?

"Could have made" suggests that someone had the ability or opportunity to do something in the past, but it is uncertain whether they did it.

Can I use "could has made" in a sentence?

No, "could has made" is grammatically incorrect. You should use "could have made" instead.

What are some alternatives to "could have made"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "might have made", "was able to make", or "managed to make".