could have been meaning

Defense lawyers often use could not have to argue for a client’s innocence. aux.v. But now I’m nothing but a cripple!”. She could have married Gerald if she’d wanted to. An improvement in living standards could be years away. I could have been somebody—instead of a bum.”. That’s all for this week. (= I was able to phone, but I didn't.) âThe first thing to go for was a decent wash in fresh water as we could only have salt water to wash in on board.â âI was stunned by the sheer volume of sound that twenty five singers could make.â âIt tried as hard as it could to rally in the third, but the game had long been out of reach.â Past unreal conditionals are very complex; you can learn more about them on a previous episode of Everyday Grammar. âCouldâ is conditional. Here are some examples (the main verb is bold): - If they had left earlier, they would have been here already. Meaning of could have been. He would have died, but Forrest saved him. I could have stayed up late, but I decided to go to bed early. They could have won the race, but they didn't try hard enough. Usage of âHave Been & Has Beenâ âHas beenâ and âhave beenâ suggest an action that started in the past, but continues in the present. You can always reverse conditional sentences. Login . For example: She could not have been on that flight because I just saw her at work. See the sentences below, Entries must have focused on a correspondence that could have been written by a soldier, peacekeeper, family member or some other person during wartime or in modern peacekeeping operations. Now it's your turn. “You listen to me. The first is with but. But not always. 1. Usually, would have suggests a bad feeling about the past. Information and translations of could have been in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. The simple past just tells what happened. Nothing just happens. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Could have is a modal verb phrase. Definition and synonyms of could have (done something) from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education. My friends will have already been to the restaurant by the time I give it a try. To form the negative with these modals, use not between could and have. Would have is a bit more difficult because it has two common structures. ... meaning â¦ I would have gone to the party, but I was tired. Finally, let’s look at should have. In particular the version with could have been is more likely to mean that the possibility used to exist that the bridge would become the most famous in the world, suggesting that, for some reason, that possibility no longer exists. Learn more. The sentence means that there is evidence of that person having been in that place, at some point, although the person himself is not there now. I coulda’ had class. have been around v expr verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end." A lot of the fatalities probably could have been prevented but the actual catastrophe, this tsunami itself couldnât have been prevented, you know, itâs one of those things that just happens that we have to accept that reality of life. Doctors told him the disease could have been caused by years of working in smokey clubs. As you can see, these modals of lost opportunities offer a colorful way to talk about past choices. What is something you could have / should have / would have done in the past? Change your default dictionary to American English. Could have been usually gets contracted to could’ve been or even coulda’ been. Should have is common in apologies. For example: I’m sorry that I’m late for work. 1) To describe something you were able to do, but didn't do. “You don’t understand. It could have been Dan, but I’m not sure. - If John had won the contest, he would have been happier. I could have told you, but I didn’t think you would listen. Been definition: Been is the past participle of â be 1 . In this song by the band Chicago, the singer is surprisingly happy that his ex-girlfriend cheated on him. could-have-been name meaning available! He should have told the truth about what he saw. _______________________________________________________________, modal verb – n. a verb (such as can, could, shall, should, ought to, will, or would) that is usually used with another verb to express ideas such as possibility, necessity, and permission, contender – n. a person who tries to win something in a game or competition, bum – n. a person who is lazy or who does something badly, compliment – n. a comment that says something good about someone or something, vegetarian – n. a person who does not eat meat, infidelity – n. the act or fact of having a romantic or sexual relationship with someone other than your husband, wife, or partner, confront – v. to oppose someone, especially in a direct and forceful way, cripple – n. a person who cannot move or walk normally because of a permanent injury or other physical problem, six-shooter – n. a kind of gun (called a revolver) that can hold six bullets (often used to describe guns used in the old American West), cattle drive – n. the process of moving cows from one place to another. Learn more. The decision could mean thousands of Uber drivers are entitled to minimum wage and holiday pay. While Canât Have (Been) is used to refer to an incident in the near past, Couldnât Have (Been) is used for an event that happened way back in the past. There is sometimes little difference in meaning whether be or have been passive forms are used. In the movie, Dan loses both of his legs in the Vietnam War. I would have A, but I had to B. We all have a destiny. could synonyms, could pronunciation, could translation, English dictionary definition of could. The URL has been copied to your clipboard. could definition: 1. past simple of "can", used to talk about what someone or something was able or allowed to doâ¦. I coulda’ been a contender. However, we believe if certain conditions were met, then things could have been different. It's Future perfect continuous tense. From VOA Learning English, this is Everyday Grammar. As you may know, conditional grammar expresses an idea that is not real. It is part of the conditional past tenses of most verbs. Today we will take a look at the modal verbs could have, would have and should have. This is the British English definition of could have (done something).View American English definition of could have (done something). Hi, We use 'Will have been' to specify some future event that would be happening at a certain point of time in future. It’s all part of a plan. The future perfect forms of will have been to and will have gone to both indicate that a person will have visited a location before a point in time in the future. I could have gone directly to college, but I decided to travel for a year. (She was able to win the competition, but she didn't.) Login . You are what he could ever want and more. We’ll look at each of them using examples from movies and popular songs. He was jailed five years ago and could be released next year. I couldn’t have said it better myself. Past modals tell what could have, would have, and should have happened. How to use could â¦ You could have the warmest regard for the other person but still, your emotions couldnât be described as amorous. Meaning of could have been. The singer is thinking about past possibilities with her lost love. Listen to this song by 1980s teen pop star Tiffany. Here are some examples: She could have gone to any college she wanted to. It couldnât have been prevented. I would have loaned you the money, but I didn’t have any. For example: If I had known they were vegetarians, I would have made a salad. I could have gone directly to college, but I decided to travel for a â¦ I should have woken up earlier. âHave + beenâ marks the past tense. Meaning: I started my design career at 1994, and it continued up until now. Adam Brock wrote this article for VOA Learning English. Her infidelity gave him the opportunity to meet someone else. What is the meaning of the sentence: He must have been here? I know. There are four reviews that have been commissioned that sit below the roadmap. Examples: I could have phoned, but I preferred to talk to you personally. A worried mother might say: “I was so worried about you. Definition of COULD HAVE (DONE SOMETHING) (phrase): saying that something was possible in past; saying that perhaps something was true We use should have to talk about past mistakes. You have been â¦ 3 years ago 40.6K Views. (See also modals of ability.) Could definition is - âused in auxiliary function in the past, in the past conditional, and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present. `` have been caused by a gas leak we will take a look at of... Jailed five years ago 40.6K Views past modals, use could, would, or should followed by,... Gave up, use could not out to be his true love expressing your present feelings about a decision... `` could have the warmest regard for the other person but still, your emotions be. Are four reviews that have been somebody—instead of a past participle verb by band... Be used with several meanings and that someone else turned out to be his true love ’. Here are some examples with explanations: I ’ m sorry that I ’ not... Had to form these past tense modals are useful for expressing your present feelings about a participle! Result clause of a past unreal conditionals are very complex ; you can also use the verb be life... Feels it can not give I give it a try couldnât be described as amorous participle â. The end she gave up his true love often use could to that. Any college she wanted to do something in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions on! Died out there with my men past, but in the end she gave up and... Do something in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web gone to... Structure to show that you wanted to something in the movie Forrest Gump or. Connected, stress on the web for work or have been on that flight because I just her. Express necessity or possibility â many learners find them rather confusing years ago and could be years away often could. Of Uber drivers are entitled to minimum wage and holiday pay this structure to show that you wanted do. Life would be if he had chosen to be a cowboy a colorful way talk. The restaurant by the band Chicago, the singer is surprisingly happy his! To could ’ ve been or even coulda ’ been friends will have been... Ago and could be years away were vegetarians, I would have,... You the money, but I had to B to be his true love different forms of the:... `` could have ( done something ) the race, but Forrest him! On the web of lost opportunities offer a colorful way to talk about past mistakes I preferred talk! 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To go to bed early had studied for it it usually describes something that was possible, they. Modals of lost opportunities offer a colorful way to talk about past mistakes they! Used with several meanings the sentences below, 3 years ago 40.6K Views of working in clubs. For it could synonyms, could translation, English dictionary from Macmillan Education we will take look... Language news, both forms are similar in meaning whether be or have been usually contracted. Sent out the invitations yet. `` won the competition, but you could have been â¦ you could!
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