could have

USAGE SUMMARY

"could have" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a potential or hypothetical situation that did not actually happen. For example, "I could have gone to the party, but I decided to stay home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Some could have survived".

The New York Times - Magazine

I could have spoken.

The New Yorker

Nobody could have done.

The Guardian

We could have stayed.

The New York Times - Sports

"He could have escaped.

The New Yorker

She could have lied.

The New York Times

"I could have, certainly".

The New York Times - Books

What could have happened?

The New Yorker

Perhaps it could have.

The New Yorker

But they could have.

The New York Times

"I could have".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember to use the past participle after "could have". Correct: "I could have studied". Incorrect: "I could have study".

Common error

Avoid using the base form of the verb after "could have". Always use the past participle. For example, it's incorrect to say "I could have went"; the correct form is "I could have gone."

Linguistic Context

The modal verb phrase "could have" primarily functions to express possibility or potential in the past that did not occur. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it suggests something was possible or an option but ultimately did not happen. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could have" is a modal verb phrase used to express possibility or potential in the past that did not occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, serving to convey a sense of missed opportunity or hypothetical past action. When writing, remember to use the past participle after "could have" and avoid confusion with similar phrases like "would have" or "should have". Understanding these nuances ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have

Indicates a similar degree of possibility or past hypothetical situation.

may have

Similar to "might have", suggesting possibility, but sometimes with a slightly weaker connotation.

would have

Implies a conditional or hypothetical outcome that did not occur.

should have

Expresses regret or criticism about a past action or inaction.

were able to

Indicates a past ability or opportunity.

had the potential to

Focuses on the inherent possibility or capability that existed.

was capable of

Highlights the capacity or skill to do something.

had the opportunity to

Emphasizes the availability of a chance or occasion.

could potentially

Emphasizes the future possibility of something happening conditional.

it was possible to

States the feasibility or likelihood of a past event.

FAQs

How can I use "could have" in a sentence to express regret?

You can use "could have" to express regret about something you didn't do. For example, "I could have studied harder for the exam" indicates you regret not studying more. Consider alternatives like "should have" which also expresses regret but implies a stronger obligation.

What's the difference between "could have" and "would have"?

"Could have" indicates a possibility that existed in the past but didn't happen, while "would have" expresses a hypothetical outcome that depended on a condition. For example, "I could have gone to the party" means I had the option, while "I "would have" gone if I hadn't been busy" means my attendance depended on my schedule.

When should I use "could have" versus "might have"?

"Could have" suggests a potential ability or opportunity in the past, whereas "might have" indicates a possibility that was less certain. "I could have won the race if I had trained harder" suggests I had the ability, while "I might have won the lottery" expresses a less definite possibility.

What are some alternatives to using "could have"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "might have", "may have", "should have", or "were able to depending" on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Each phrase has slightly different implications regarding possibility, regret, or ability.