could have obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could have obtained" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a possibility or hypothetical situation in the past regarding acquiring something. Example: "If I had known about the sale, I could have obtained the item at a much lower price."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A job I could have obtained with GCSEs.

The Guardian

The government could have obtained court injunctions to enforce the rules.

The New York Times

Indeed, Mr. Lockhart said, the company could have obtained additional credit, albeit on increasingly unfavorable terms.

The New York Times

Khalifman could have obtained a clear advantage by 28 Qb7but his 28 Qd7! was devastating.

The New York Times

Mr. Specter pressed the witnesses on whether the government could have obtained a cooperation agreement with Dr. Lee much earlier.

The New York Times

And the RGA was not very far from that information, they could have obtained it themselves," the advisor continued.

The Guardian

Wouldn't this scene have naturally hinted at where Maz could have obtained such a prized item?

Independent

The F.B.I. could have obtained the file while doing forensics on another data breach".

The New York Times

Such events raise concerns that terrorists could have obtained materials for a radiological bomb and exposed nearby residents to radioactive contamination.

The New York Times

A senior official at the Ministry of the Interior in Paris said Mr. Reid could have obtained the materials to make the bomb with relative ease.

The New York Times

Management was too thin for the ambitious expansion, analysts said, and made errors like putting popular merchandise on sale when stores could have obtained full price.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could have obtained" to express possibilities in the past that didn't necessarily happen, often implying a missed opportunity or hypothetical scenario.

Common error

Avoid using "could of obtained"; the correct form is "could have obtained". Remember that "have" is used after modal verbs like "could", "should", and "would".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could have obtained" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a past possibility or hypothetical situation. It suggests that an action (obtaining something) was possible but not necessarily realized. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could have obtained" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express past possibilities or hypothetical situations. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media and science contexts. When writing, ensure correct tense usage by avoiding "could of obtained". Consider alternatives such as "might have acquired" or "should have received" to fine-tune the meaning. Remember that "could have obtained" indicates a past potential, often carrying implications of missed opportunity or alternative outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have acquired

Replaces "could" with "might", indicating a slightly lower degree of possibility.

may have secured

Substitutes "obtained" with "secured", implying a proactive effort to gain something.

would have gained

Uses "would" instead of "could", suggesting a conditional outcome dependent on specific circumstances.

should have received

Emphasizes the expectation or entitlement to receive something, changing the focus from ability to deservedness.

were able to procure

Replaces "could" with "were able", highlighting capability; "procure" suggests effort in acquisition.

had the opportunity to get

Focuses on the availability of an opportunity rather than the certainty of acquisition.

were in a position to acquire

Highlights the state or condition that allowed for the potential acquisition.

had the chance to secure

Similar to "had the opportunity to get", but with a stronger implication of a missed chance.

would have been eligible for

Shifts the focus to eligibility or qualification, implying potential but not guaranteed acquisition.

might have been granted

Suggests that something could have been given or allowed, shifting the focus from personal effort to external permission.

FAQs

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

"Could have obtained" is used to express that someone had the possibility or ability to get something in the past, but it didn't necessarily happen. For example: "They "could have obtained" a quicker resolution by settling; they say the case is not about money."

What's a synonym for "could have obtained"?

Alternatives to "could have obtained" include "might have acquired", "may have secured", or "would have gained", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "could have obtained" and "should have obtained"?

"Could have obtained" indicates a possibility, while "should have obtained" implies an obligation or recommendation. "They "could have obtained" better benefits" suggests they were capable of it, while "They "should have obtained" better benefits" means it was advisable for them to do so.

What's the correct form: "could have obtained" or "could of obtained"?

The correct form is "could have obtained". "Could of" is a common misspelling; "have" is the auxiliary verb that follows modal verbs like could, should, would, might and must.