could have demanded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could have demanded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a past possibility or hypothetical situation where someone had the opportunity to make a demand but did not do so. Example: "She could have demanded a raise, but she chose to wait for a more appropriate time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

You could have demanded them.

The Guardian

Who is the God who could have demanded such a sacrifice?

The New Yorker

No one could have demanded the universe supply a more congenial and entertaining deskmate.

The Guardian - Music

The vote was close enough that under state law, Mr. Thune could have demanded a recount.

The New York Times

And it could have demanded evidence of inclusive teaching practices and strong disability support.

The Guardian

I could have demanded to be driven back to the rooming house.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Otherwise if the Ps with ostensible generosity allowed Qs to drink they could also have demanded demeaning behavior from the Qs in exchange; or if they sold water to the Qs they could raise its price as much as they liked; and so on.

SEP

To take the most absurd case, nobody could realistically have demanded that the economics profession predict that Lehman Brothers would go down on September 15 , 2008 and take much of the world economy with it.

The New York Times

I asked Richard Hooper, who conducted inspections in Iraq from 1991 to 1993, if the inspectors couldn't have demanded to see a neighboring facility before the war, and he said, "The Iraqis would have just refused".

The New York Times - Magazine

First of all, he could and should have demanded an increase in the debt ceiling back in December.

The New York Times

It could not, for instance, have demanded documents.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could have demanded", ensure the context clearly indicates why the demand was not made, enhancing the sentence's informative value.

Common error

Avoid using "could have demanded" excessively when analyzing past events, as it can sound judgmental. Instead, focus on the reasons behind the decisions made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could have demanded" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a past possibility or a hypothetical situation. It indicates that someone had the ability or opportunity to make a demand but did not.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could have demanded" is a versatile phrase used to express a missed opportunity or a hypothetical past action where someone had the ability to make a strong request. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase serves to analyze past events and suggest alternative actions, making it valuable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to consider the context and potential implications of using this phrase, ensuring that it accurately conveys the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could have requested

A more polite and less forceful alternative to "demanded".

could have pressed for

Indicates an effort to obtain something, potentially through negotiation.

might have insisted

Suggests a slightly stronger assertion than "demanded", implying persistence.

might have called for

Implies a public or formal request, often in response to a need or problem.

might have required

Implies a formal or legal obligation, shifting the context slightly.

could have claimed

Suggests a right or entitlement that could have been asserted.

could have stipulated

Suggests a condition or term that could have been specified in an agreement.

might have sought

Implies an attempt to find or obtain something, often through indirect means.

could have pursued

Indicates a course of action that could have been followed to achieve a goal.

might have enforced

Implies an active decision not to impose a rule or regulation.

FAQs

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

Use "could have demanded" to describe a situation where someone had the option to make a strong request but chose not to, like "The union "could have demanded" higher wages during the negotiations".

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

You can use alternatives like "might have requested", "could have requested", or "could have insisted" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Which is correct, "could have demanded" or "could of demanded"?

"Could have demanded" is the correct grammatical form. "Could of demanded" is a common error resulting from mishearing or misspelling "could've".

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

"Could have demanded" suggests the ability or opportunity to make a demand, while "should have demanded" implies a moral or practical obligation to do so.