Could’ve, Should’ve, Never Could Of!

Understanding “Could Have” vs. “Could Of”

Many people mix up “could have” and “could of” because they sound the same when spoken fast. Let’s learn how to use them correctly.

History and Meaning

The phrase “could have” is made up of the word “could,” which is the past tense of “can,” and the word “have,” which is used to talk about something that might have happened but did not.

“Could of” is not correct English. It comes from hearing “could’ve,” which is the short way of saying “could have.” When people hear “could’ve,” they sometimes think it’s “could of.”

How to Use “Could Have”

• Use “could have” when talking about something that was possible in the past but did not happen.

Example Sentences with “Could Have”

• I could have gone to the party, but I was too tired.
• She could have won the game if she had practiced more.
• We could have seen the movie, but we missed the bus.
• They could have finished the project, but they ran out of time.
• He could have become a doctor, but he chose to be a teacher instead.

How to Avoid “Could Of”

Remember, “could of” is incorrect in writing. It should always be “could have.”

Think This Way: “Could’ve” = “Could Have”

• Imagine “could’ve” as a short form of “could have.” When writing, always expand it to “could have.”

Example Mistakes with “Could Of”

These are not correct sentences:

• I could of seen the new movie.
• She could of finished earlier if she started sooner.
• We could of met them at the park.
• They could of traveled during summer.
• He could of learned to play piano.

Summary

Use “could have” when talking about things that might have happened in the past. Remember, “could of” is just a mistake people make when writing. Always write “could have” to be correct!