Examples of 'Could have + V3' in a Sentence

Could have + V3 examples and sentences. How to use 'could have V3' in a sentence?

"Could have + V3" is used to express past possibilities that did not happen or to make a guess about something that might have happened in the past.

Ability in the past This is the most common usage. It indicates that something was possible in the past, you had the ability to do it, but it didn't happen.

I could have stayed up late studying, but I decided to go to bed early. (You had the ability to stay up late, but you chose not to.)

Speculation about the past  Used to make a guess about something that might have happened in the past, but you're not sure.

They could have gotten lost, that's why they're late. (We don't know for sure if they got lost, but it's a possibility.)

Example Sentences

She could have worn a jacket, it's chilly tonight.

I could have finished my degree, but I dropped out.

The car swerved so fast, it could have hit us!

They could have missed the flight because of the traffic

We could have caught the train if we had left earlier.

They could have gotten lost, that's why they're late.

She could have gone to the party, but she chose to stay home.

I could have called her back yesterday, but I completely forgot.

You could have parked closer if you didn't want to walk so far.

We could have saved more money if we hadn't gone on that vacation.

He could have passed the exam if he had studied more diligently.

She could have become a famous singer if she had pursued her passion.

He could have finished his homework, but he played games instead. 

I could have become a doctor if I had pursued medicine instead of engineering.

We could have visited the museum yesterday, but it was closed for renovations.