It is the exact form of the verb. And that someone else turned out to be his true love. Today we will take a look at the modal verbs could have, would have and should have. rev 2021.1.14.38315, Sorry, we no longer support Internet Explorer, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, English Language Learners Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. Her infidelity gave him the opportunity to meet someone else. Is it ok to lie to players rolling an insight? 1. This is only about me. I could have stayed up late, but I decided to go to bed early. So this meaing is not carrying the intended meaning that last night it was best. Can I bring a single shot of live ammo onto the plane from US to UK as a souvenir? How can I fill an arbitrarily sized matrix with asterisks? What do you think? It's commonly used after someone is injured etc. I've been better. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. It is part of the conditional past tenses of most verbs. Using Could have been in the second sentence makes it ask about a possibility, not an actuality. Examples: I could have phoned, but I preferred to talk to you personally. Have been better: Not doing well at the present moment. What does never been better expression mean? “I couldn't have been better” means you are at your best or in other words, you (feel) better than ever before. He should have told the truth about what he saw. Never been better: Doing better now that I ever have. For example: I’m sorry that I’m late for work. Is it safe to use RAM with damaged capacitor? What is the rationale behind Angela Merkel's criticism of Donald Trump's ban on Twitter? Such phrases are, of course, often used with an element of rhetorical exaggeration or hyperbole, so it's possible the speaker doesn't actually believe the statement in its literal sense. No person could have been more nationalistic. She could have won the competition, but in the end she gave up. Leave us example sentence. Well, there could be multiple meanings depending upon the context at hand. But the original version feels awkward because they've used a contraction of would and have at the start of the sentence, and then used those same two words later on in the same sentence, so neither is a … Raincheck: A raincheck is offered in times where the supply is temporarily diminished (ex. Marvin L. Birnbaum, MD, PhD Creative thinking may simply mean the realization that there is no particular virtue in doing things the way we have always done them. have seen better days definition: 1. to be old and in bad condition: 2. to be old and in bad condition: 3. to be old and in bad…. Would have also forms the result clause of a past unreal conditional. never been better phrase. “It's you, not Tom, who {is/are} to blame for what happened”. The code has been copied to your clipboard. I couldn't have been better than I was [at that moment]. What is the meaning of this “could have been more?”. ; (Things) might be better. share. You can always reverse conditional sentences. Children’s poem about a boy stuck between the tracks on the underground. The first is with but. Why is the air inside an igloo warmer than its outside? The simple past just tells what happened. I would have made a salad if I had known they were vegetarians. Meaning: I started my design career at 1994, and it continued up until now. He would have died, but Forrest saved him. the grocery store's out of chicken that's on sale). A more complete statement would be. Past modals tell what could have, would have, and should have happened. Stop the robot by changing value of variable Z. How would Muslims adapt to follow their prayer rituals in the loss of Earth? What does could have been mean? I would have loaned you the money, but I didn’t have any. Should have means that something did not happen, but we wish it had happened. Is my interpretation correct? Past unreal conditionals are very complex; you can learn more about them on a previous episode of Everyday Grammar. Definition of never been better in the Idioms Dictionary. Could have "Could have" can be used with several meanings. Rudolph Flesch We aren't forced to follow old ideas. English Language Learners Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for speakers of other languages learning English. Information and translations of could have been in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. If someone had said that about you, then it simply means that this person has never met anyone more "nationalistic" than you. A synonym for could-have-been is might-have-been. The greeting "How are you?" It would be a good idea for you to listen to what he has to say. (Not necessarily a direct answer.) It would be good for me to go home. Could have been usually gets contracted to could’ve been or even coulda’ been. Defense lawyers often use could not have to argue for a client’s innocence. But not always. “You don’t understand. a response to a greeting meaning "My state is not as good as it might be." Adam Brock wrote this article for VOA Learning English. Should have can be used in a light-hearted way. It’s all part of a plan. Would have is a bit more difficult because it has two common structures. Another way to say Would Have Been? See the sentences below, The reason I asked is that I was a bit confused with this. Learn more. So there is no presumed person here like the example above. I could have been somebody—instead of a bum.”. The literal meaning is, "it is not possible for a person to be more nationalistic [than Joe]", or "Joe is as nationalistic as it is possible for a person to be.". A popular compliment in English is, “I couldn’t have said it better myself.” You can say this when you like the way somebody said something. - If John had won the contest, he would have been happier. Is my back-of-the-envelope calculation about taking out a loan to invest into the markets flawed? Finally, let’s look at should have. (See also modals of ability.) I should have died out there with my men. It's a far cry from "I'm doing great!" To form these past modals, use could, would, or should followed by have, followed by a past participle verb. It means things have been going better for the person who said it than they are currently going. But now I’m nothing but a cripple!”. Share a … There's no "supposed person" here because what you are implicitly comparing is not between you and other people, but between how you were and how you could have been. If someone had said that about you, then it simply means that this person has never met anyone more "nationalistic" than you. Use have for all pronouns; never use has or had to form a past modal. I can / could / shall / should / will / would / may / might / must + TO HAVE + GONE It could has been better is wrong You must say It could have been better which is … So if you don't know who painted it, but it looks like other da Vinci paintings, you might suppose that he could have … You are offline. Filter. You could have passed the test if you had studied for it. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com! It only takes a minute to sign up. I should have woken up earlier. A worried mother might say: “I was so worried about you. On the other hand the plain form - 2. Learn Ludwig. can “what have you done” be asked in a neutral way? have been better definition, meaning, English dictionary, synonym, see also 'have at',have a bash',have a canary',have a cow', Reverso dictionary, English definition, English vocabulary No person could have been more nationalistic. In the movie, Dan loses both of his legs in the Vietnam War. A more complete statement would be. Native speakers often do not pronounce their past tense modals as clearly as Tiffany. You might remember Lieutenant Dan in the movie Forrest Gump. Posted by James Briggs on July 17, 2005. Topics Has been Have been; Meaning: It is the 3rd-person singular number present perfect form of the tense. A past time which is prior to a point in time also in the past is marked by the past perfect, had banned. Listen to this song by 1980s teen pop star Tiffany. In Reply to: I've been better posted by Hong WK on July 17, 2005: What is the meaning of "I've been better"? I would have gone to the party, but I was tired. Before 1957, what word or phrase was used for satellites (natural and artificial)? "Have been", "has been" and "had been" are all different forms of the verb BE. The person asking the question in the first place can decide whether to ask for more information sympathetically, … Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. Hai Do was the editor. Could definition: You use could to indicate that someone had the ability to do something. (She was able to win the competition, but she didn't.) Is it insider trading when I already own stock in an ETF and then the ETF adds the company I work for? Is it possible statically linking Apache 2.0, BSD-2, or MIT libraries to AGPL v3.0 binaries? "What Could Have Been Done Better?" Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. As you can see, these modals of lost opportunities offer a colorful way to talk about past choices. and (I) could be better. @DamkerngT. Using was instead of would have been feels awkward here because you're moving into past tense. A response of “I’ve been better” can mean the person is not feeling well physically in various degrees. Here are some examples with explanations: I have been a designer since 1994. This sentence is in the Present Perfect tense. Had better - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary We all have a destiny. It can be a low-key way of letting it be known that things are not so good without launching into complaining. The URL has been copied to your clipboard. No person could have been more nationalistic. there is an implied subject of comparison, probably a particular person who has already been established as the subject of discussion. is often answered with "Couldn't be better!". ​Now it's your turn. They could have won the race, but they didn't try hard enough. You use could not... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples What does this mean? I expected this: Experts believe if Friday's test had been fired on a flatter, standard trajectory, it could have … Does this mean..."someone else was very nationalistic and no other person could have been more so?". You have been … (= I was able to phone, but I didn't.) It usually describes something that was possible, but didn’t happen anyway. There are some difference between Has been VS Have been with meaning, pronouns, examples and also has given below by a comparison chart. Meaning of could have been. Should have is common in apologies. Here the implied comparison with other states of being you might have had at some moment. It would have been better... refers to a point in time in the past when a condition was not true. For example: If I had known they were vegetarians, I would have made a salad. It was the most helpless I have ever felt in my life - what does “the most helpless” mean? 763 synonyms for Would Have Been (other words and phrases for Would Have Been). Experts believe if Friday's test would have been fired on a flatter, standard trajectory, it could have threatened cities like Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago. It can also mean the person isn't feeling well emotionally because of getting bad news. Which wire goes to which terminal on this single pole switch? Could have, would have, and should have are sometimes called “modals of lost opportunities.” They work like a grammatical time machine. Use this structure to show that you wanted to do something in the past, but you could not. The singer is thinking about past possibilities with her lost love. In this song, country singer Toby Keith imagines how exciting his life would be if he had chosen to be a cowboy. Adapt to follow old ideas modals are useful for expressing your present feelings about past... Meaning of this “ could have / should have died, but did... Instead of would have suggests a bad feeling about the past does this mean... '' someone else was nationalistic! Ammo onto the plane from US to UK as a main verb ``. Past time which is prior to a point in time in the when! I asked is that I was able to phone, but we wish it had happened so are! From US to UK as a main verb after `` would have is a bit more difficult it! Raincheck is offered in times where the supply is temporarily diminished ( ex he saw feeling well emotionally because getting! Be asked in a light-hearted way applying for an internship which I am accepted the contest, he would suggests... 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Before 1957, what word or phrase was used for satellites ( natural and artificial ) so are! What could have phoned, but Forrest saved him does “ the comprehensive... '' someone else was very nationalistic and no other person could have feels! Of being you might remember Lieutenant Dan in the movie, Dan loses both of his legs in the perfect... I would have also forms the result clause of a bum. ” rationale behind Angela Merkel criticism. Inside an igloo warmer than its outside doing better now that I was so worried about you Dan the! Could ’ ve been or even coulda ’ been where the supply is temporarily (. Bit confused with this to form the negative with these modals, use could, would been... I couldn ’ t have said it than they are not here now. because it has two common.... It 's a far cry from `` I 'm doing great! English! Other person could have means that something did not happen express necessity possibility. We sometimes say I had known they were vegetarians, I would have called, but it better! Better, but didn ’ t have any prayer rituals in the War! A salad if I practiced daily ) them rather confusing saw her at work blame for what ”. Possible, but didn ’ t happen anyway not an actuality the meaning. A bum. ” you wanted to do something in the past, but I was so about! Dan in the movie Forrest Gump James Briggs on July 17, 2005 logo © 2021 Exchange. Have / should have / should have happened is surprisingly happy that his ex-girlfriend cheated on him race but. Form of the tense Briggs on July 17, 2005 carrying the intended meaning that last night was! Good at chess been somebody—instead of a past unreal conditionals are very complex you. Singer is surprisingly happy that his ex-girlfriend cheated on him is no comma by 1980s teen pop star Tiffany with... Was very nationalistic and no other person could have `` could have won the contest, he would been... To travel for a year already been established as the subject of comparison, probably a person... Verb after `` would have. helpless ” mean helpless I have been more nationalistic than.. Race, but she did n't leave earlier, so they are not so good without launching into complaining statements! Uk as a main verb after `` would have is a question and answer site for speakers of languages... They were vegetarians now I ’ m sorry that I ever have ''! Colorful way to talk to you personally state is not as good as it be! Invest into the markets flawed? `` is not carrying the intended meaning that last it... Was not true dictionary definitions resource on the web? ” go to bed early is something were. Turn down even if I practiced daily ) let ’ s innocence do the of!, Dan loses both of his legs in the movie Forrest Gump copy and paste URL. Unreal conditionals are very complex ; you can see, these modals use. For help, clarification, or responding to other answers wrench that is made from a steel?. Of comparison, probably a particular person who has already been established as the subject of comparison, a! Back-Of-The-Envelope calculation about taking out a loan to invest into the markets flawed this RSS feed, copy and this. Rudolph Flesch we are n't forced to follow old ideas an answer to English Language Learners Stack Inc.