could have sent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'could have sent' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to express a past possibility or potential action that did not happen. For example: I could have sent a thank-you card to my aunt, but I forgot.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He could have sent us a signal.

The New York Times

"That could have sent him backward.

The New York Times - Sports

They could have sent you to Mustique!

The Guardian

They could have sent me home".

The New York Times - Sports

"Medicare could have sent a strong signal to drugmakers.

The Economist

You could have sent a letter to the editor.

The Washington Post

"But he could have sent a representative with more weight.

The New York Times

If baseball wanted a novelty, it could have sent Ichiro.

The New York Times - Sports

We could have sent poets, writers, God forbid, a photographer.

The New York Times

A more rigorous referee could have sent Fernandinho off in the first half.

The Guardian - Sport

They could have sent crews ahead of the storm from all over America.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could have sent" to express a missed opportunity or a potential action in the past that did not occur. Be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning of a forgone possibility.

Common error

Avoid using "could have sent" when referring to current or future possibilities. It is specifically for hypothetical past actions. For example, don't say "We could have sent the email now"; instead, use "We could send the email now".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could have sent" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a hypothetical past action or a missed opportunity. It indicates that an action was possible in the past but did not occur. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could have sent" is a grammatically sound and commonly used modal verb phrase to express a hypothetical past action that did not occur. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is primarily used to express regret, speculate, or indicate missed opportunities and is frequently found in news, academic, and formal business contexts. When writing, remember that this phrase refers to the past, and consider alternatives like "might have dispatched" or "should have transmitted" to refine your intended meaning. Ensure that you're using it to express past possibilities and not current scenarios to avoid tense errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have dispatched

Replaces "sent" with "dispatched", implying a more formal or official sending.

could have dispatched

Replaces "sent" with "dispatched", implying a more formal or official sending.

may have forwarded

Substitutes "sent" with "forwarded", suggesting the transmission of something already received.

should have transmitted

Emphasizes the obligation to send something, which wasn't fulfilled, using "transmitted".

would have conveyed

Replaces "sent" with "conveyed", implying a more deliberate or planned delivery.

could have relayed

Substitutes "sent" with "relayed", suggesting the passing on of information or a message.

could have shipped

Replaces "sent" with "shipped", suggesting items are sent physically.

might have beamed

Substitutes "sent" with "beamed", suggesting items are sent with radio waves.

could have communicated

Broadens "sent" to "communicated", implying a wider range of transmission methods.

could have issued

Replaces "sent" with "issued", often used for official documents or statements.

FAQs

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

"Could have sent" indicates a past possibility that did not happen. For example, "I "could have sent" the package yesterday, but I forgot" shows a missed opportunity.

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

"Could have sent" implies a possibility, while "should have sent" implies an obligation or recommendation. "I "could have sent" the letter" means I had the option. "I should have sent the letter" means it was advisable to send it.

What are some alternatives to "could have sent"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "might have dispatched", "may have forwarded", or "would have conveyed". Choose the alternative that best fits the nuance of your sentence.

Is "could have sent" grammatically correct?

Yes, "could have sent" is grammatically correct. It uses the modal verb 'could' in the past perfect tense to express a hypothetical past action. Just ensure the context accurately reflects this past hypothetical scenario.