PATH NOT TAKEN

Path not taken In life, we make many decisions. We choose our own paths.

Path not taken Sometimes we talk about lost opportunities. What could have happened differently?

Path not taken We use could have to discuss things you had a choice for, but did NOT happen. 0% happened! 30% chance you would have made this choice! When I was waiting for the bus, I could have played on my phone, but I didn’t. I could have phoned you yesterday, but I decided not to.

Path not taken We use it to discuss a RISK (danger or problem) that did not happen but was possible. Why did you throw my phone? You could have broken it! (The phone is OK). I didn’t wear a sweater last night when it was cold. I could have gotten sick, but I’m healthy.

Path not taken We use would have to discuss choices you would have made if things were different. It 0% happened. There’s 90% chance you would have made this choice. If you told me about the party, I would have come. If I studied for yesterday’s test, I would have passed.

Past Choices and Paths NOT TAKEN Past Regrets Past Possibility Past Probability Past Choices and Paths NOT TAKEN Past Regrets might have must have could have (50% would have made this choice) should have 70% chance it happened, uses facts. would have (90% would have made this choice) Something bad happened because this wasn’t true. may have This wasn’t true. 0% happened. 40% chance it happened