Could have versus could of

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Could have done.✔️
could of done. Incorrect

Explanation:

Could = ability in past. Being able to in a time which is past now.

Could have = something that was possible in past.

have is followed by past participle

Past participle is what we write after have in sentences. Eg done, eaten, bought.

could have + finished
could have + gone
could have + written
could have + done

Easier way to remember is:

The ‘have done’ after could is similar to when we use ‘have done’ in a sentence like
‘I have done all my tasks for today’
or ‘ I have finished all my tasks for today’

You ‘could have picked’ some vegetables on your way home.

We never say ‘ I of done my tasks for today’ or ‘ I of finished my work’

‘Would have’ has a similar structure in the sentence, the meaning is different. I think we all know the meaning but some of us use structure wrongly.

Would have ✔️

Would of incorrect

Maybe I am AIBU to post here, but I see so many people use it incorrectly here. English is my second language, so if you find any mistakes, please go ahead and correct.

@VeryQuaintIrene I don't think you understood my post. It depends on how you say of.
If you say of as uv, 've and of sound the same. if you say of as ov, they don't.

I have heard far too many say could of as kʊd ɒv as opposed to kʊd əv.

Maybe it's regional? It's distinctly different the way I would say them and "could of" is very jarring.

@NamelessNancy , it is jarring, and it is distinctly different. They definitely are not saying 'could've, they are saying 'could of'.

In my accent (RP/London) they sound completely the same, so it probably is regional. That said, "could have" is never, ever right and it's not really hard to get it right. Some things in English are trickier (apostrophes, for example) but this is not that.

Yes, but I think the point people are making is that the mistake comes from a misunderstanding of what the contraction ‘could’ve’ is a contraction of.

People are saying ‘I could of gone’ because they think that’s what someone saying ‘I could’ve gone’ is saying — only now it’s gone viral. People hear the wrong version everywhere and see it written down.

‘Could have’ IS correct. Are you thinking ‘could of’ is the correct term?

I hope you don't mean that @VeryQuaintIrene .

@SquaredPaper , it's people not realising that what they hear as 'could of' is 'could've',and they don't realise that 'could of' doesn't make sense.

Haha! No II absolutely do not! And never would of written that ever :) :)

I think it's a lost cause myself.

Agreed.

Oh no...please don't say that! I can't bear it!

Of is always pronounced ov.

Off is pronounced with an f, rather than a v, sound.

In my accent of = ov; 've = uh-v

Off is different to both but shouldn't be adding to any confusion I wouldn't have (of) thought.

We went on holiday years ago. There was a sign on the door to the swimming pool saying "No outdoor shoes aloud"
DS, who was about 5, said to the man on the door "can I wear my shoes if they are quiet?"
The man was oblivious as to what he meant.