CEFR B2

could have

Translation

～できたはずだ / ～だったかもしれない / ～し得た

Meaning

This phrase is used to talk about something that was possible in the past but did not happen. It often implies regret or a missed opportunity. It can also express a past possibility that is uncertain.

Examples

I could have gone to the party, but I decided to stay home.
I could have gone to the party, but I decided to stay home.
You could have told me you were going to be late.
You could have told me you were going to be late.

Definition

意味: このフレーズは、過去に可能だったが実際には起こらなかったことについて話すときに使われます。しばしば後悔や、逃した機会を意味します。また、不確かな過去の可能性を表すこともあります。

Examples / 例文

I could have gone to the party, but I decided to stay home. — I could have gone to the party, but I decided to stay home.

You could have told me you were going to be late. — You could have told me you were going to be late.

He could have won the race if he had trained harder. — He could have won the race if he had trained harder.

How to Use Could have

I could have + past participle (statement of past possibility)

Expresses that an action was possible for the speaker in the past but did not occur. — "I could have learned to play the guitar if I had practiced."

You could have + past participle (statement of past possibility or regret)

Expresses that an action was possible for the listener in the past, often implying criticism or regret. — "You could have asked for help instead of struggling alone."

It could have + past participle (statement of past possibility)

Expresses that a situation or event was possible in the past. — "It could have been worse."