Welcome to FunTrivia's Question & Answer forum!

Search All Questions

Please cite any factual claims with citation links or references from authoritative sources. Editors continuously recheck submissions and claims.

Archived Questions

In English, what is the difference in meaning between 'could of (could've)' and 'could have (could've)'? Or, 'would of (would've)' and 'would have (would've)'?

Question #151712. Asked by odo5435.
Last updated Sep 04 2024.
Originally posted Sep 04 2024 8:44 AM.

looney_tunes

Answer has 3 votes

Currently Best Answer

looney_tunes

Moderator
19 year member
3319 replies avatar

Answer has 3 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.

There is no difference in meaning, they are dialectical variants of the same thing. Strictly speaking, grammarians consider the 'of' version to be a misspelling, based on lazy pronunciation of the contraction. It can be justified if the author is trying to convey a manner of speaking.

https://writingexplained.org/could-of-or-could-have

Sep 04 2024, 3:10 PM

Sign in or Create Free User ID to participate in the discussion

In English, what is the difference in meaning between 'could of (could've)' and 'could have (could've)'? Or, 'would of (would've)' and 'would have (would've)'?

Other Similar Questions & Answers

Related FunTrivia Quizzes