could have realised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could have realised" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a missed opportunity or a possibility that was not acted upon in the past. Example: "If I had paid more attention, I could have realised the mistake before it was too late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I don't think he could have realised Trinidad & Tobago would be that defensive.

The Guardian - Sport

At the time, no one could have realised the scale of the problem about to unfold.

The Guardian - Business

What neither man could have realised was that they were helping to make theatrical history.

The Guardian

Some films get very lucky with topical gags hitting the mark more effectively than the writers could have realised.

The Guardian - Film

Anybody could have realised that the story of the first part of the election campaign would be that Ed Miliband is not as bad as all that.

Independent

But all engaged must have co-operated in a loyal spirit which alone could have realised the composer's ideas so perfectly.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

If we'd looked to Mick, we could've realised we did have a choice".

The Guardian - Music

Pliny wrote more truly than he could possibly have realised.

The Economist

Haber could scarcely have realised such an outcome.

The Guardian - Books

The author, Richard Cohen, could not have realised just how inescapable his theme would become.

The Guardian

The senior citizen who accosted Thomas last week could not have realised just how timely his reminder was.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could have realised" to express a missed opportunity or a past potential, setting it apart from present possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "could have realised" when you mean "can realise" or "could realise". The "could have" construction refers to a past unrealized possibility, not a present ability.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "could have realised" is to express a past possibility that did not occur. It functions as a modal verb construction indicating a missed opportunity for understanding or recognition. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could have realised" is a versatile phrase used to express a missed opportunity for understanding or recognition in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in news, media, and scientific contexts. It is important to use it accurately, distinguishing it from similar phrases like "should have realised" or "could realise", and avoiding confusion regarding tense. By keeping these points in mind, writers can effectively use "could have realised" to add depth and nuance to their expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have understood

Emphasizes a potential understanding that didn't occur.

should have recognized

Highlights a failure to acknowledge something that should have been apparent.

would have known

Focuses on the knowledge that could have been obtained.

might have noticed

Suggests a missed opportunity for observation.

could have perceived

Indicates a potential for awareness that was not fulfilled.

should have seen

Implicates a lack of foresight or attention.

would have anticipated

Focuses on the lack of anticipation of a future event.

might have gathered

Highlights a missed opportunity to collect information.

should have deduced

Focuses on the failure to infer something from available information.

would have imagined

Suggests a failure to envision a possible scenario.

FAQs

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

Use "could have realised" to indicate that someone had the potential to understand or recognize something in the past, but didn't. For example: "They "could have realised" the danger if they had paid more attention".

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

You can use alternatives like "might have understood", "should have recognized", or "would have known" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "could have realised" or "could realise"?

"Could have realised" refers to a past unrealized possibility, while "could realise" refers to a present or future possibility. Use "could have realised" when discussing something that didn't happen in the past.

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

"Could have realised" implies a potential that wasn't met, while "should have realised" implies an obligation or expectation that wasn't fulfilled. "Should have realised" suggests a stronger sense of error or negligence.