| 单词 | could |
| 释义 | couldcould /kəd; strong kʊd/ ●●● S1 W1 modal verb (third person singular could negative short form couldn’t) 1used to say what someone was able to do: Could you sleep last night with all that noise outside? Eleanor couldn’t come to the party last weekend. I knew we couldn’t win the game. → see Usage at can12used to say that something might be possible or might happen: I’m sure Francis could find out for you. You could hurt yourself if you’re not careful. I don’t think I could live with someone like that. One small spark could easily cause an explosion.could have done/been something Do you think he could have forgotten? I couldn’t have been away for more than ten minutes.3used instead of “can” when reporting what someone else said: Dad said we could go swimming after lunch.4could have done/been used to say that something was a possibility in the past, but did not actually happen: You could have been killed. She could have come with us if she’d wanted.5used to politely ask someone to do something: Could you have her call me back when she gets home, please? Could you drop off the kids on your way to work?6used to say that something seems to be true although it is not true: It’s so hot, it could be the middle of summer.SPOKEN PHRASES7used to politely ask for permission to do something: Could I have a drink of water? What about Sam? Could he come along, too?8used to suggest doing something: Maybe we could meet for lunch. We could always use plastic cups instead.9I couldn’t care less used to say that you are not interested at all in something: I couldn’t care less what happens to you and Peter.10said when you are annoyed because you think someone should have done something: You could have told me you were going to be late! You could at least apologize!11couldn’t be better/worse etc. said to emphasize how good, bad, etc. something is: “How are you feeling?” “Fine. Couldn’t be better!” The system couldn’t be simpler.12somebody/something could do with something used to say that someone wants or needs something very much, or that something would be useful for something else: You look like you could do with a drink.13I could have strangled/hit/killed etc. somebody used to emphasize that you were very angry with someone: Brent forgot our anniversary again! I could have killed him! [Origin: Old English cuthe, past tense of cunnan; influenced by should and would] |
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