could have evaded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could have evaded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a possibility or hypothetical situation in which someone might have avoided something in the past. Example: "If he had been more careful, he could have evaded the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Forensic experts at the F.B.I.'s bomb laboratory are assessing whether the bomb could have evaded screening machines and security measures revamped after the failed 2009 plot.

The New York Times

Asked to explain how Mr. Vasilopoulos could have evaded detection by the Transportation Safety Administration screeners, a spokeswoman for the agency said in a statement, the "T.S.A. takes this incident seriously and will carefully review the details".

The New York Times

In a video he recorded and posted online, Chen Guangfu, the older brother who arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, said he had been whipped and stomped on by angry interrogators who wanted to know how a blind man could have evaded dozens of guards and scaled several high walls.

The New York Times

Indeed, even if he had never noticed what was up, there was a good chance he could have evaded Hank's snares, simply because he really does seem to be "out" of the game for good (though we'll see what Lydia – who wants him to come back and teach his replacements how to cook meth – has to say about that in weeks to come).

Los Angeles Times

In contrast, the surprisingly low aggressiveness of BTL3 cells together with a comparable subclone in BTL1 cells suggest that dormant tumour cells from this or a comparable BTL1 subclone could have evaded the two surgeries as well as RT and chemotherapy.

British Journal of Cancer

The "new" Fort Dix strain came from basic trainees imported from Puerto Rico, a subtropical island sufficiently isolated from temperate climates that its rural inhabitants could have evaded the beneficial effects of vaccination, with the same strain persisting for more than 40 years.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

So parties to a contract could have evade the requirements without penalty and yet still have their contracts be legally enforceable despite this evasion.

Huffington Post

The most mediocre productions, which abound on the fringe, could gain audiences of the prurient in response to her condemnations, a reality of which could scarcely have evaded her.

The Guardian

Ansell could easily have evaded the road block on the lonely Stuart Highway, but he chose to kill.

The Guardian

That's the most noble way". How could German neo-Nazi killers have evaded police for 13 years?

The Guardian

Mitchell himself appeared to have evaded taxes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could have evaded", ensure the context clearly indicates what was avoided and the potential consequences of not evading it. For instance, "The company could have evaded bankruptcy by implementing these strategies earlier."

Common error

Avoid using "could of evaded". The correct form is always "could have evaded". "Could've" is a contraction of "could have", not "could of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could have evaded" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a past possibility that something could have been avoided or escaped. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could have evaded" is a grammatically sound construction used to express a past possibility of avoidance or escape. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. It appears primarily in news and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal tone. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys hypothetical scenarios and missed opportunities. Remember to use "could have" and not the grammatically incorrect "could of". Alternatives such as "might have avoided" or "may have escaped" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have avoided

Suggests a possibility of preventing something from happening.

may have escaped

Emphasizes the possibility of getting free from a dangerous or undesirable situation.

managed to dodge

Highlights the successful act of avoiding something, often with skill or luck.

succeeded in bypassing

Focuses on the accomplishment of going around an obstacle or problem.

were able to circumvent

Indicates the ability to find a way around rules or restrictions.

potentially eluded

Implies a possibility of escaping detection or capture.

had the chance to avert

Emphasizes the missed opportunity to prevent something negative.

were in a position to sidestep

Suggests being in a situation that allowed one to avoid an issue or responsibility.

conceivably dodged

Highlights the possibility of escaping from a threatening event.

possibly evaded

Indicates the chance to escape something by cleverness or trickery.

FAQs

How can I use "could have evaded" in a sentence?

You can use "could have evaded" to express a missed opportunity or a potential avoidance of something. For example, "They could have evaded the traffic by taking an alternate route."

What does "could have evaded" mean?

"Could have evaded" suggests that someone had the opportunity or possibility to avoid something, but it is implied that they did not successfully do so. It describes a hypothetical scenario.

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

You can use alternatives like "might have avoided", "may have escaped", or "managed to dodge" depending on the context.

Is "could of evaded" grammatically correct?

No, "could of evaded" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "could have evaded", or the contraction "could've evaded".