Pronunciation: /ˈkʊdəntəv/
verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence, such as 'couldn't've'
A1 I couldn't've imagined a better outcome.
A2 She couldn't've known about the surprise party.
B1 They couldn't've finished the project without your help.
B2 He couldn't've made it to the meeting on time even if he tried.
C1 I couldn't've completed the marathon without proper training.
C2 The team couldn't've won the championship without their star player.
adverb a word that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb, typically ending in -ly, such as 'couldn't've'
A1 I couldn't've finished my homework on time.
A2 She couldn't've believed her eyes when she saw the surprise party.
B1 They couldn't've predicted the outcome of the experiment.
B2 He couldn't've possibly known about the meeting.
C1 I couldn't've imagined a more perfect day.
C2 The team couldn't've performed any better in the championship game.
preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause, such as 'couldn't've'
A1 I couldn’t’ve asked for a better teacher.
A2 She couldn’t’ve made it to the party even if she wanted to.
B1 They couldn’t’ve finished the project without your help.
B2 I couldn’t’ve imagined a more beautiful sunset.
C1 The team couldn’t’ve won the championship without their hard work.
C2 I couldn’t’ve been happier with the results of the experiment.
formal I couldn’t’ve made it to the meeting on time due to traffic congestion.
informal I couldn’t’ve believed my eyes when I saw that surprise party waiting for me.
slang I couldn’t’ve even if I wanted to, the store was already closed.
figurative He couldn’t’ve seen the truth even if it hit him in the face.
couldn’t’ve
couldn’t’ve
can’t
won’t be able to
couldn’t have
couldn’t be
couldn’t’ve
able
not be able to
not being able to
not been able to