Can have / Could have
We can use 'could have' to talk about something somebody was capable of doing but didn't do.
- I could have gone to Oxford University but I preferred Harvard.
- She could have married him but she didn't want to.
- They could have bought a house here 20 years ago but chose not to.
- You could have phoned me to let me know.
- They could have helped me instead of just sitting there.
- I could have done more to help you. Sorry.
- I couldn't have managed without you.
- I couldn't have got the job. He was always going to appoint his nephew.
- I couldn't have enjoyed myself more. Thank you for a lovely day.
- She could have taken the earlier train.
- Simon could have told her.
- They could have overheard what we said.
- Can she have forgotten about our meeting?
- He can't have seen us.
- They can hardly have thought that I was not interested in the job.
- You could have broken your neck, jumping out the window like that.
- He could have hurt somebody, throwing a bottle out of the window like that.
- I could have done well in my exam if I'd worked harder.
- I could have been earning a lot as an accountant but the work was just too boring.
- He could have been Prime Minister now but he got involved in a big financial scandal.
- They could have been the market leaders now if they had taken his advice.