could have been doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"could have been doing" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used to express what someone could have done but did not. For example, "I should have been studying for my test yesterday, but instead I was watching TV. I could have been doing something productive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"They could have been doing both".

The New York Times

"We could have been doing much more earlier.

The New York Times

The most obvious question is: who else could have been doing the job?

Independent

If I could have been doing something in the constituency, that was obviously the priority".

The Guardian

She lingered, though there were other things she could have been doing.

The New Yorker

All the other things we could have been doing with our summer night of freedom.

The New York Times

Otherwise I could have been doing things that were more satisfying to me artistically".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

What could have been done?

The New Yorker

And it could have been done.

The Economist

But still, more could have been done.

The New York Times - Arts

It could have been done differently.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could have been doing", ensure the context clearly indicates why the alternative action was not taken or was preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "could have been doing" when you mean "could be doing". The former refers to the past, while the latter refers to present possibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could have been doing" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a past possibility that didn't occur. This structure combines the modal verb 'could' with the perfect continuous aspect to express hypothetical or unrealized actions, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could have been doing" is a very common and grammatically correct modal verb phrase used to express past possibilities or missed opportunities. According to Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, use "could have been doing" to add a reflective tone about unrealized actions, and be mindful of the tense to avoid confusion with present possibilities. Consider alternatives like "might have been doing" or "should have been doing" to fine-tune your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have been doing

Emphasizes a lower probability or possibility of the action occurring.

may have been doing

Indicates a possibility, but with less certainty than "could".

would have been doing

Suggests a hypothetical scenario, what someone would have done under different circumstances.

should have been doing

Implies an obligation or expectation that was not met.

was capable of doing

Focuses on the ability to perform the action, rather than the potential for it.

had the option to do

Highlights the availability of a choice that wasn't taken.

were in a position to do

Emphasizes the circumstances that allowed for the action.

were able to do

Focuses on the capacity or skill to perform an action in the past.

had the potential to do

Highlights the unrealized possibility of performing a certain action.

it was possible to do

Focuses on the feasibility of a past action that was not taken.

FAQs

How can I use "could have been doing" in a sentence?

Use "could have been doing" to describe an action that was possible in the past but did not occur. For example, "I "could have been doing" homework, but I watched TV instead".

What does "could have been doing" mean?

"Could have been doing" suggests a past possibility that was not realized. It often implies regret or reflection on alternative choices.

What's the difference between "should have been doing" and "could have been doing"?

"Should have been doing" indicates an obligation or expectation that was not met, while "could have been doing" simply suggests a past possibility or alternative. "I "should have been doing" work" implies I had a responsibility; "I "could have been doing" work" only implies it was an option.

What are some alternatives to "could have been doing"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "might have been doing", "may have been doing", or "would have been doing" to express similar ideas.