could have
Was once possible
Could have expresses a past possibility that didn't occur: You could have been killed.
It often carries reproach for a missed opportunity or unfulfilled expectation: She could have called.
In speculation, it suggests what was plausible: He could have taken the train.
Frequently contracted to could've, which sounds like "could of"—a common misspelling.
- almostShort of completely
- nearlyAlmost but incomplete
- so closeAlmost achieved, but not
- possibilityState of being achievable
- regretSorrow over past actions
hindsight · missed · opportunity · chance · gotten away · if only · gone wrong · turned out · perhaps · maybe · contemplation · wistful · past · alternate · different · potential · hypothetical · wishful
- prioritypriority, top priority, high priority, low-priority, first priority
- modal phrasescan do, may be, might be, must be, should be
- modal verbscan, may, might, must, shall
- conditionalsif, then, if clause, if clauses, else