Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
could performed
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "could performed" is not correct in English.
It seems to be a mix-up of "could" and "perform," which should be used in different grammatical contexts. Example: "He could perform well if he practiced more."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(3)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
However, just as The Adaptive Evolution Database [ 13] allows proteome-wide studies of evolutionary rates, proteome-wide studies of coevolution could also be could performed if sufficiently fast and well-characterized methods for detecting coevolution were available.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
I could perform in this.
News & Media
The precocious boy surely could perform.
News & Media
Cramer could perform, but it cost him.
News & Media
You could perform it with instruments".
News & Media
It was believed he could perform miracles.
News & Media
I could perform, but that's different".
News & Media
Any biology undergraduate could perform this".
News & Media
Ian Curtis and Ian Dury couldn't necessarily sing properly, but they could perform.
News & Media
Then created a place where they felt they could perform.
News & Media
He said the team could perform surgery in the field.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using the phrase "could performed" as it is grammatically incorrect. Use "could have performed" to refer to a past ability or possibility.
Common error
Do not confuse "could performed" with "could have performed". The latter is the correct form to indicate a past ability or possibility that did not occur.
Source & Trust
93%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "could performed" is grammatically incorrect. The auxiliary verb "could" requires the base form of the verb or, to indicate past possibility, "could have" + past participle. Ludwig flags this usage as incorrect.
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
50%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "could performed" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. The correct form is "could have performed" to express a past ability or possibility. As Ludwig AI indicates, this error stems from using the incorrect verb tense after the modal verb "could". While sources like The New York Times and The Guardian are cited, they do not validate the phrase's correctness. Instead, focus on using "could have performed" or alternative phrases like "was able to perform" to accurately convey your intended meaning. Remember, clarity and grammatical accuracy are crucial for effective communication in both formal and informal contexts.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
could have performed
Indicates a past ability or possibility that was not realized.
was able to perform
Expresses the capacity or ability to carry out an action.
might have performed
Suggests a possibility in the past, less certain than "could have."
would be able to perform
Indicates a future capability based on certain conditions.
can perform
Expresses a present ability or potential.
could execute
Replaces "perform" with a synonym emphasizing the completion of a task.
was capable of performing
Highlights the inherent capability to do something.
had the ability to perform
Emphasizes the possession of the necessary skills or resources.
could conduct
Uses "conduct" as a synonym for "perform", suitable for certain actions.
might perform
Indicates a possibility of performing an action, without certainty.
FAQs
How should I correctly use "could have"?
Use "could have" followed by a past participle to indicate a past ability or possibility that was not realized. For example, "I "could have gone" to the party, but I was too tired."
What's the difference between "could perform" and "could have performed"?
"Could perform" generally refers to a present or future ability, while "could have performed" refers to a past potential action that did not happen. For example, "He "could perform" the surgery now if needed," versus "He "could have performed" the surgery yesterday, but he was unavailable."
What are some alternatives to "could have performed"?
Alternatives include "was able to perform", "might have performed", or "would have been capable of performing". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.
Is "could performed" ever grammatically correct?
No, "could performed" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form to express a past potential action is "could have performed".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
93%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested