could have secured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could have secured" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a possibility or hypothetical situation in the past where something could have been achieved or obtained. Example: "If we had acted sooner, we could have secured a better deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Under the securities laws, however, the S.E.C. could have secured a penalty of three times that amount, or $825 million.

The New York Times

Ryu returned to the course and could have secured the victory in regulation.

The New York Times - Sports

Dallek needs to believe these men could have secured lasting peace.

The New York Times - Books

Mitt Romney could have secured the GOP nomination with a victory in the Palmetto State.

The Guardian - Opinion

Finally, Bryant missed a 20-footer that could have secured the win with 2.1 seconds left.

The New York Times

They could have secured three points, but lacked a cutting edge.

The Guardian - Sport

For only 5m real (around £2m), the seaside club could have secured majority ownership of one of their major assets.

The Guardian - Sport

Darrell Armstrong could have secured the victory with 5.8 seconds to play, but missed two free throws.

The New York Times - Sports

Take his rationale for casting Pike, an excellent actor, but hardly the biggest name he could have secured.

The Guardian - Film

"I saw this week that Barry Hearn claimed his dog could have secured a better deal with West Ham.

The Guardian - Sport

Pascal Dupuis and Mark Eaton scored for Pittsburgh, which could have secured a playoff spot with a win.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could have secured", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or decision would have led to the securing of something. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "could have secured" when the outcome was highly unlikely. This phrase implies a reasonable possibility, not just a theoretical one. Use alternatives like "might have wished for" if the possibility was remote.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could have secured" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a past conditional possibility. It suggests that a certain action or decision in the past had the potential to ensure or obtain something. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could have secured" is a grammatically correct and frequently used modal verb phrase that expresses a past conditional possibility, suggesting a missed opportunity or hypothetical outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media, academia, and sports. When using this phrase, clarity and specificity are key to avoid ambiguity. While highly versatile, be aware of overstating certainty and consider alternatives like "might have obtained" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have obtained

Replaces "secured" with "obtained", suggesting acquisition rather than necessarily ensuring something.

would have guaranteed

Substitutes "could have" with "would have", implying a higher degree of certainty in the outcome.

were in a position to ensure

Changes the structure to emphasize the ability to ensure a specific result.

had the potential to clinch

Uses "clinch" to suggest a more decisive or certain achievement.

were able to attain

Focuses on the ability to reach or gain something.

had a chance to lock in

Implies a more formal or binding type of securing.

may have finalized

Suggests the completion or conclusion of securing something.

were capable of arranging

Highlights the act of organizing and securing.

had the means to procure

Emphasizes the resources available to secure something.

might have wrapped up

Suggests a complete and conclusive securing.

FAQs

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

Use "could have secured" to indicate that a past action could have resulted in obtaining or guaranteeing something. For example, "If they had invested earlier, they "could have secured" a better return".

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

You can use alternatives like "might have obtained", "would have guaranteed", or "were able to attain depending on the context.

Which is correct, "could have secured" or "should have secured"?

"Could have secured" indicates a possibility in the past, while "should have secured" implies a moral or practical obligation that was not met. The choice depends on whether you are emphasizing possibility or obligation.

What's the difference between "could have secured" and "could secure"?

"Could secure" refers to a present or future possibility, whereas ""could have secured"" refers to a possibility that existed in the past but did not come to fruition.