might have done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "might have done" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express an assumption about something that could have, but did not, happen in the past. For example: "I thought that Mary might have done the dishes, but she hadn't."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kroos might have done better.

Independent

They might have done more.

The Economist

I might have done.

The Guardian

An older 'keeper might have done better.

Independent

Either one just might have done it.

The New York Times - Sports

I might have done more.

The Washington Post

No doubt others might have done that.

Cornell University

This week, he might have done worse.

The Washington Post

The goalkeeper might have done better there.

The Telegraph

"They might have done," she says.

The Guardian - Books

The striker might have done better.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "might have done" to express a tentative possibility about a past action. For stronger possibilities, consider "could have done" or "may have done".

Common error

Avoid using "might of done"; the correct form is "might have done". "Might of" is grammatically incorrect and a common mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might have done" functions as a modal construction expressing speculation or possibility concerning an action completed in the past. Ludwig provides many examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "might have done" is a common and grammatically sound way to express possibility regarding past actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a modal construction used across diverse contexts, particularly in news media, academic writing, and formal business communications. While "could have done" and "may have done" serve as close alternatives, "might have done" carries a slightly weaker connotation of probability. To ensure accurate usage, remember to avoid the common error of "might of done" and stick with the correct "might have done".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could have done

This alternative suggests a slightly stronger possibility than "might have done".

may have done

This is a more formal synonym expressing possibility.

possibly did

This is a more direct and less formal way to express the same idea.

conceivably did

Suggests something is imaginable or possible but not necessarily likely.

potentially did

Highlights the potential for something to have happened.

it's possible that they did

This is a more verbose way of expressing the same idea, adding emphasis.

perhaps they acted

Emphasizes the action performed, phrasing it as a speculation.

it is conceivable they acted

Emphasizes the conceivability of the action, making it more formal.

one possibility is they acted

Framing the action as one of multiple possibilities.

there's a chance they acted

Suggests a degree of uncertainty with a more casual tone.

FAQs

What does "might have done" mean?

The phrase "might have done" indicates a possibility that something happened in the past, though it is not certain. It suggests a degree of uncertainty or speculation.

How can I use "might have done" in a sentence?

You can use "might have done" to speculate about past actions. For example: "He "might have done" better on the test if he had studied more."

What are some alternatives to "might have done"?

Alternatives include "could have done", "may have done", or "possibly did", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "might have done" and "could have done"?

"Might have done" suggests a weaker possibility compared to "could have done". "Could have done" implies a greater chance or ability to perform the action, whereas "might have done" is more tentative.