Had to buy vs. could have bought

[Kristina]

Test No. incompl/elem-7 "Modals", question 2

I could ......... bought that car but I didn't have enough money to pay for the petrol.

(a) had
(b) have
(c) have to

Test No. incompl/elem-7 "Modals", answer 2

I could have bought that car but I didn't have enough money to pay for the petrol.

Correct answer: (b) have

Your answer was: incorrect
I could have to bought that car but I didn't have enough money to pay for the petrol.
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Hello! I was very glad to find such a cool site. It really helps me to improve my English.
But, can you explain why could have without to?
Thank you

[Torsten]

Hi Kristina,

Please take a look at these examples:

I had to buy that car.
(My wife made me buy that car so I bought it.) =
Simple Past (had to + base verb)

I could have bought that car.
(I had the chance to buy that car but I couldn't buy it because I didn't have enough money.) =

Conditional III (could have + past participle).
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[Kristina]

Thank you, Torsten.