Could Have (Unrealized Possibility)

This rule works by looking at the past.

It focuses on potential rather than reality.

Imagine you are at a restaurant.

You order the chicken pasta.

It tastes okay, but your friend's pizza looks amazing.

You say, 'I could have ordered the pizza!'

This means you had the chance.

The pizza was on the menu.

But you chose the pasta instead.

Now you are just a little bit sad.

We all feel that 'pizza regret' sometimes!

This grammar captures that exact feeling.

It shows that an option existed.

However, you did not take that option.

1. 1Making this sentence is like building a sandwich.
2. 2You need three main ingredients in order:
3. 3Start with the word could.
4. 4Add the word have right after it.
5. 5Finish with the past participle (V3) of your verb.
6. 6For example, with the verb go:
7. 7could + have + gone.
8. 8For negative sentences, add not:
9. 9could + not + have + gone.
10. 10You can also use the short version: couldn't have.
11. 11In speaking, people often say could've.
12. 12It sounds like 'could-of' when people talk fast.
13. 13But remember, always write it as have!

There are three main times to use this.

First, use it for missed opportunities.

You had a chance to do something.

For some reason, you did not do it.

'I could have traveled to Japan last year.'

Maybe you didn't have the money then.

Or maybe you were just too busy.

Second, use it for lucky escapes.

This is when something bad almost happened.

'You could have broken your leg!'

You fell, but you are actually okay.

It is a way to show relief.

It is like saying 'Whew, that was close!'

Third, use it for light criticism.

This is for when someone else messed up.

'You could have called me to say you were late.'

You are telling them they had an option.

They chose not to use that option.

It is a polite way to show you are annoyed.

Just don't use it too much with friends.

Nobody likes a 'could have' expert!

Do not use this for things that happened.

If you actually went to the park, don't use it.

'I could have gone to the park' means you stayed home.

Also, do not use it for the future.

If you want to go tomorrow, just say 'I can go'.

This grammar is strictly for the past.

It is like a history book, not a calendar.

Do not use it for things that were impossible.

If you didn't have a car, don't say you could have driven.

Well, you can, but it sounds like a dream.

Keep it for things that were actually possible.

The biggest mistake is the 'of' trap.

Many people write could of.

This is because could've sounds like could of.

But could of is never correct in English.

Always use have after could.

Think of it as a married couple.

Could and have stay together in this rule.

Another mistake is using the wrong verb.

You must use the past participle (V3).

Don't say 'I could have go.'

Say 'I could have gone.'

It is like wearing the right shoes.

You wouldn't wear flip-flops to the snow!

The V3 form is the right 'shoe' for this grammar.

Lastly, don't forget the have entirely.

'I could gone' is not a full sentence.

It needs that middle 'have' to work.

You might know should have or must have.

They look similar, but the meaning changes.

Could have means it was possible.

'I could have slept late' (but I woke up early).

Should have means it was a good idea.

'I should have slept late' (I am very tired now).

Must have means you are guessing.

'He must have slept late' (He is not at his desk).

Think of could as a door that was open.

You just decided not to walk through it.

Should is like a teacher giving you advice.

Must is like a detective solving a mystery.