Could Of or Could Have – Which is Correct? (Grammar + Examples)

Is it “could of” or “could have?” Often people write could of in place of could have by mistake. Perhaps this happens due to the pronunciation of the short form of the phrase “could have” which is “could’ve.” When you pronounce the word “could’ve,” it sounds more like “could of.” And that’s where confusion can arise.

Let’s examine the definition of the phrases ‘could have’, and ‘could of’, and learn which phrase is grammatically correct and when to use it.

What Does “Could Have” or “Could’ve” Mean?

‘Could have’ means ‘a possibility’, the capability to fulfill something. The phrase “could have” is sometimes expressed as a contraction “could’ve,” particularly in American English and speech. And the term “could’ve” perilously sounds like “could of.”

For example:

I could’ve directly gone to university, but I chose to travel first.

Native English speakers sometimes don’t pronounce their past tense modals. “Could have been” typically getting contracted to could’ve been or “coulda’ been.” (slang)

To create the negative form with these modals, use not between the words could and have. “Couldn’t have” means that something was unthinkable in the past (past tense form).

For instance:

• Defense lawyers sometimes use couldn’t have to claim a client’s innocence.
• She couldn’t have been there because I saw her at work just now.

A popular praisein American English is “I could not have said it better myself.” A person can say this as soon as a type of compliment to the other person’s abilities. It’s a phrase to show firm agreement.

What Does “Could Of” Mean?

The phrase “could of” is a common mistake or misspelling of the phrase “could have.” This misunderstanding of the verb phrase came from American English speakers’ way of pronouncing the phrase (the verbal form sounding like “could’ve”).

It’s not uncommon for American English speakers to write could’ve in regular speech. This omits the emphasized –H sound that distinguishes have from of.

Since ‘could’ve’ generally sounds nearly like ‘could of’ if spoken aloud in the American English dialect, people often mistakenly think ‘could of’ is the proper form of this phrase.

“Could have” is typically a verb phrase. However, ‘of’ isn’t a verb. Instead, the modifier “of” is typically used as a preposition, and it’s not a synonym to could have.

Examples of “Could Have” in Sentences

• She could have run faster if her leg had not hurt her.
• I could not have said this better myself. He indeed said it well.
• Are you completely out of your mind? How could you do that? You could’ve crashed yourself into that wall!
• Couldn’t we have left this party earlier?
• You could have been just honest with her. She trusts you so much! How could you cheat her?
• If you were I, I couldn’t have ever done that to her. She is your best friend, after all.
• We could have stopped by that grocery store. Haven’t I told you earlier that we need to buy some milk?
• You could have purchased the cheaper jacket. Irrespective of the price, it looked amazing on you.
• I could not have done this piece of sh*t without you. Thank you so much for your cooperation.

Conclusion

The phrase “could of” is grammatically incorrect and shouldn’t get used in the English language. The expression “could of” is nothing but a grammar mistake. The grammatically correct form is “could have.” In place of “could have,” you can also use “could’ve.”