Could Have, Would Have and Should Have: What's the difference and when to use

Discover the nuances of could have, would have, and should have in this video.

Understanding the differences between "could have," "would have," and "should have" is crucial. These phrases are used to talk about the past and are followed by the past participle. However, each has its specific context and meaning.

 

Could have is used when you had the ability to do something in the past but didn't do it. For example, "I could have passed the exam, but I didn't study hard enough.". This implies that passing the exam was possible, but due to lack of effort, it didn't happen.

 

Should have is used when discussing something that would have been a good idea, but you didn't do it. It's often used to express regret. For instance, "I should have gone to bed early" means going to bed early was the right choice, but you didn't do it, and now you are tired.

 

Would have is used to talk about something you wanted to do but didn't do. An example is, "I would have gone to the dinner, but I had to work late." indicates a missed opportunity due to another commitment.