THE USAGE OF 'COULD HAVE' IN DIFFERENT SENTENCES STRUCTURES

THE USAGE OF 'COULD HAVE' IN DIFFERENT SENTENCES STRUCTURES 

🎯 Could Have

The phrase could have is used to express the possibility of an action or event happening in the past but not necessarily occurring. It's often used to reflect on what might have been possible under different circumstances.

In a sentence, could have is typically followed by the past participle (V3) to indicate this possibility. It can be used in affirmative statements, questions, and negative questions to explore different scenarios.
💠
Affirmative
O + could + have + been + V3 + [by + S]
🔮This task could have been completed by Arpita.
💠(This implies that it was possible for Arpita to complete the task in the past, even if she didn't.)

Verbal Question
Could + O + have + been + V3 + [by + S] + ?
🔮Could this task have been completed by Arpita?
💠(This asks if it was possible for Arpita to have completed the task.)

Negative Verbal Question
Couldn't + O + have + been + V3 + [by + S] + ?
🔮Couldn't this task have been completed by Arpita?
💠(This implies a sense of surprise or expectation that Arpita should have been able to complete the task.)

'Wh' Question
Wh + could + O + have + been + V3 + [by + S] + ?
🔮Why could this task have been completed by Arpita?
💠(This asks for reasons why it was possible for Arpita to complete the task.)

Negative 'Wh' Question
Wh + couldn't + O + have + been + V3 + [by + S] + ?
🔮Why couldn't this task have been completed by Arpita?
💠(This asks why it wasn't possible for Arpita to complete the task.)