‘Could have’ for things we didn’t do in the past

In a similar way to other modal verbs with ‘have + past participle’, we can use ‘could have + past

participle’ to talk about a past ability or possibility that we didn’t use.

• I could have gone to art school, but my parents didn’t want me to. (= I would have been able

to go, but I didn’t go.)

• I could have gone to the gym yesterday, but I was feeling lazy. (= It was possible for me to

go, but I didn’t go.)

Let's review! Make sentences using 'could + have + past participle'.

1. It was possible for her to come to the restaurant. She finished work in time.

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2. It was possible for them to eat the food in the fridge. They didn't need to buy more.

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3. It was possible for us to catch the train. We just needed to run!

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4. It was possible for the children to play in the garden instead of watching TV.

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5. It was possible for me to work at home yesterday but I decided to go to the office.

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6. It was possible for Julia to go to bed early but she decided to stay up late and so she's tired.

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7. It was possible for him to pass the exam, but he refused to study.

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8. It was possible for me to beat you at tennis! I wasn't trying.

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9. It was possible for them to come to our house. They didn't need to stay in a hotel.

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10. It was possible for her to win the race. It was really unlucky that she didn't.

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Answers

1. She could have come to the restaurant. She finished work in time.

2. They could have eaten the food in the fridge. They didn't need to buy more.

3. We could have caught the train. We just needed to run!

4. The children could have played in the garden instead of watching TV.

5. I could have worked at home yesterday but I decided to go to the office.

6. Julia could have gone to bed early but she decided to stay up late and so she's tired.

7. He could have passed the exam, but he refused to study.

8. I could have beaten you at tennis! I wasn't trying.

9. They could have come to our house. They didn't need to stay in a hotel.

10. She could have won the race. It was really unlucky that she didn't.

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May be freely copied for personal or classroom use