Grammar: Could/would/should have vs. Could/would/should of

Easy English for beginners or ESL!

Many people write "could/would/should of" instead of "could/would/should have". "Could of" is wrong. Why do people write this? Well, when you speak quickly, it sounds like "should've", which sounds like "should of".


Example: 

"I could have eaten the pie." This is okay.

"I could of eaten the pie." This is wrong.

If we write it a little simpler: "I have eaten the pie." This is something someone could say or write. However, something no one would say or write would be: "I of eaten the pie."

Know the difference!