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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

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looney_tunes

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19 year member
3307 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

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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)'?

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