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English 1b3 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Could have/may have

I could have been...

I may have been...

Are both grammatical? Are they used differently?
  

Top answer

As far as I know, could have + pp, might have + pp, and may have + pp (pp = past participle) can all be used the same way when talking about "possibility". When talking about "ability", could is the one to choose though. I'm sure it's more complicated than that, so wait for a native speaker's confirmation.

— Kooyeen

  • As far as I know, could have + pp, might have + pp, and may have + pp (pp = past participle) can all be used the same way when talking about "possibility".
  • When talking about "ability", could is the one to choose though.
  • I'm sure it's more complicated than that, so wait for a native speaker's confirmation.
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1 Answers
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As far as I know, could have + pp, might have + pp, and may have + pp (pp = past participle) can all be used the same way when talking about "possibility". When talking about "ability", could is the one to choose though.

I'm sure it's more complicated than that, so wait for a native speaker's confirmation.
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