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We know from earlier Hints
that could has several different
uses
in present or future time and that could
also shows ability
in the past. In addition, we
know that could has a past form,
could have, which is followed by the past participle of the
main verb and that could have shows possibility in the past
and can
also be used in past unreal conditional sentences.
The could have form is
also used in another special way
with comparative
forms.
When could have is used in this way, the meaning is
something
like 'not (verb) as _____ as possible':
I could have done better.
=
I didn't do as well as possible (I didn't do
very well).
I could have spent less. =
I didn't spend as little as possible (I spent more
than
I planned).
More Examples:
A: How was your TOEFL score?
B:
It could have been better.
(B's TOEFL score wasn't as
good as possible: B didn't do
well on the TOEFL.)
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A: How was the food at the party?
B: Delicious! But there could have
been more of it!
(B thinks there wasn't as
much food as possible: B thinks
that there wasn't
enough food.)
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When couldn't have is used in this way, the meaning is
'(verb)
as _____ as possible' or 'very _____':
I couldn't have been more
satisfied. =
I was as satisfied as possible (I
was very satisfied).
I couldn't have been more
pleased. =
I was as pleased as possible (I was
very pleased).
More Examples:
A: How did
you feel after the TOEFL?
B: I couldn't have felt worse.
(B felt as bad as possible
after the TOEFL: B felt very bad..)
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A: Did you
enjoy the party?
B: I couldn't have had a
better time!
(B had as good a time as possible
at the party: B had.
a very good time.)
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