could have procured

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

At worst, he could have procured a nice, safe spot in a stay-at-home National Guard unit, à la Dan Quayle or George W. Bush, or an officer's billet on some general's or admiral's staff.

The New Yorker

The plaintiffs contend that Marriott refuses to provide invoices detailing what it or Avendra pay for goods and services bought on behalf of its client hotels, and whether those hotels could have procured them elsewhere for less.

The New York Times

As for Smith Woodward and Keith, both were keen advocates of the theory that humans had big brains early in their evolution and could have procured these bits of skull – using Dawson to deposit their handiwork – because they were convinced they represented the truth.

The Guardian

Although he had friends overseas, and could have procured a job outside Sierra Leone, he chose to stay and help his people because "they had no one to help them".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Amid concerns that Middle Eastern terrorists might have procured radioactive weapons, the Defense Department is pressing for approval of a novel drug that could help protect people from radiation.

The New York Times

Only seven managers have procured more Premier League points this season than Garry Monk.

The Guardian - Sport

Most of the produce could have been procured at any farmers' market, but the urban agrarian notion does seem to have provided a theme for the décor.

The New York Times - Food

"We could have just procured and developed the instruments but that's not what the government wanted, they wanted to have a proper contribution from the UAE team and Emirati engineers," he says.

The Guardian

He had procured a photo ID on October 21, specifically so that he could vote.

Vice

Some of the savvier women had procured them last fall.

The New York Times

(Note: In attempting to procure a passport, they had procured the birth certificate of a cerebral palsy sufferer).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could have procured", ensure the context clearly establishes the hypothetical nature of the situation. It implies a past possibility that did not occur.

Common error

Avoid using "could have procured" when describing an action that actually happened. Instead, use "procured" or "had procured" to indicate a completed action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could have procured" functions as a modal perfect construction expressing a past possibility or hypothetical scenario regarding obtaining something. Ludwig confirms its correctness. The modal verb "could" indicates potential, "have" perfect aspect, and "procured" meaning "obtained".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

34%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could have procured" is grammatically sound and functions as a modal perfect construction to express a past possibility of obtaining something that did not happen. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct, though relatively rare, appearing mostly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, ensure the hypothetical context is clear and avoid using it to describe completed actions. Related phrases like "might have obtained" or "could have acquired" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have obtained

Emphasizes possibility but sounds slightly less formal than "procured".

could have acquired

Replaces "procured" with a more general term for gaining possession.

were able to secure

Focuses on the ability and effort involved in obtaining.

managed to get hold of

Indicates a successful effort to obtain, often something difficult.

would have been able to get

Expresses a hypothetical ability to obtain.

were in a position to obtain

Highlights the circumstances that made obtaining possible.

had the opportunity to acquire

Stresses the availability of a chance to obtain.

could have come by

Informal way of saying "could have obtained".

could have accessed

Focuses on gaining access or entry, suggesting a less direct form of obtaining.

could have laid hands on

Indicates obtaining something, possibly implying acquisition through less conventional means.

FAQs

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

Use "could have procured" to describe a past possibility that did not occur. For example, "If we had acted sooner, we "could have procured" the necessary resources."

What is a simple substitute for "could have procured"?

Alternatives include "might have obtained" or "could have acquired", depending on the specific context.

Is "could have procured" formal or informal?

"Could have procured" is generally considered neutral to formal, suitable for professional and academic contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives like "could have gotten" in informal settings.

What is the difference between "could have procured" and "procured"?

"Could have procured" describes a hypothetical past action, whereas "procured" indicates that the action of obtaining actually took place. Use "We procured the supplies" to describe an event that happened, and "We "could have procured" the supplies" to suggest a missed opportunity.