she might have

USAGE SUMMARY

"she might have" is a valid and grammatically correct phrase; you can use it in written English.
For example, you might write: "I wasn't sure if she had eaten dinner earlier, but she might have."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She might have told you.

The New Yorker

Bummer, she might have said.

The New York Times

She might have begged him.

The New Yorker

She might have a point.

The New York Times

She might have dreamed it.

The New Yorker

She might have died".

The New Yorker

She might have said "sex" with fashion.

The New York Times

Some hope, she might have added.

The Guardian - Opinion

Witt suspected she might have mononucleosis.

The New York Times - Sports

She might have gone a little overboard.

Independent

She might have broken a few laws".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she might have" to express a moderate degree of possibility or speculation about a past event. It's less certain than "she must have" but more plausible than "she couldn't have".

Common error

Avoid using "she might have" interchangeably with "she must have" or "she could have" without considering the nuances of certainty each conveys. "Must have" implies a strong belief, while "could have" suggests a weaker possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she might have" functions as a modal verb construction expressing possibility or speculation about a past event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The modal verb "might" modifies the perfective aspect "have," indicating uncertainty regarding the completion or occurrence of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she might have" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for expressing possibility or speculation about past events. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to convey uncertainty, and it's widely accepted in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, remember that it suggests a moderate degree of possibility, less certain than "must have" and more plausible than "couldn't have". Be mindful of potential confusion with other modal verbs and consider the specific nuances each conveys to ensure accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she may have

Uses a different modal verb to express a similar possibility.

she could have

Uses a different modal verb to express a similar possibility.

it is possible that she had

Replaces the modal verb with a more explicit expression of possibility.

perhaps she has

Uses "perhaps" to introduce a suggestion, indicating uncertainty.

possibly she did

Introduces the action as a mere possibility.

maybe she's

A more informal contraction expressing a similar degree of possibility.

there's a chance she did

Highlights the element of chance or uncertainty.

it's conceivable that she did

Emphasizes the possibility with a more formal and less common expression.

she would have

Implies a conditional scenario rather than a mere possibility, suggesting what she would have done under specific circumstances.

it is likely she had

Expresses a higher degree of probability compared to "might".

FAQs

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

Use "she might have" when you want to express a possibility about a past action or state. For example, "She didn't answer her phone; "she might have" been in a meeting".

What is a synonym for "she might have"?

Alternatives to "she might have" include "she may have", "she could have", or "it is possible that she had". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct: "she might have" or "she might of"?

"She might have" is correct. "Might of" is a common misspelling arising from the similar pronunciation, but it is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "she might have" and "she would have"?

"She might have" indicates a possibility, while "she would have" suggests a conditional situation that didn't necessarily happen. For instance, "She might have gone to the store" means it's possible she did, whereas "She would have gone to the store if she had time" means she didn't actually go.