could
modal
kəd modal
1
PAST ABILITY
过去的能力
used as the past tense of ‘can’ to say what someone was able to do or was allowed to do in the past 能，会，可以〔 can 的过去式〕
By the time she was eight, she could read Greek and Latin.
她八岁就会读希腊文和拉丁文了。
In those days you could buy a box of cigars for a dollar.
那时候，一美元能买一盒雪茄烟。
Could you hear what I was saying?
你听到我说的话了吗？
I couldn’t get tickets after all, they were sold out.
我最终还是没能弄到票，全都卖完了。
I knew I couldn’t afford the rent.
我知道我付不起租金。
The teacher said we could all go home.
老师说我们都可以回家了。
2
POSSIBILITY
可能性
a. used to say that something is possible or might happen b. used to say that something was a possibility in the past, but did not actually happen 〔表示未发生的事情〕差点就，本来有可能
Most accidents in the home could be prevented.
大多数家庭意外事故都是可以避免的。
It could be weeks before we get a reply.
我们可能要等好几个星期才得到回复。
If you’re not careful, you could get into even worse trouble.
如果你不当心的话，可能会陷入更大的麻烦。
A faulty connection could easily (=would be likely to) cause a fire.
接错线路容易引发火灾。
Somebody could have been killed.
差点有人送命。
I could have warned you if I had known where you were.
我要是知道你在哪里的话就提醒你了。
He could have escaped, but he chose to stand and fight.
他本来可以逃走的，但他选择留下来战斗。
3
EMPHASIZING YOUR FEELINGS
强调感情
used to emphasize how happy, angry etc you are by saying how you want to express your feelings [口] 很想〔强调快乐、气愤等情绪〕 spoken
He irritates me so much I could scream.
他气得我真想尖叫。
I was so angry I could have killed her.
我气得想把她杀了。
I was so relieved I could have kissed them all.
我开心得真想把他们亲个遍。
4
REQUESTING
请求
used to make a polite request [口] 〔用于礼貌地请求〕能否，可不可以 spoken
Could you help me with these boxes?
你能否帮我搬一下这些箱子？
Could I have a drink of water, please?
我可以喝点水吗？
How about Sam? Could he come along too?
萨姆怎么样？ 他能一起去吗？
I wonder if I could just ask you to sign this.
能否请您在这上面签名。
5
SUGGESTING
建议
used to suggest doing something 可以〔用于建议做某事〕
You could ask your doctor for a check-up.
你可以请医生做个检查。
You could always try phoning her at the office.
你总可以打电话到她办公室找她。
Maybe we could get together sometime next week?
下周的什么时候我们也许可以聚一聚？
Couldn’t you get one of your friends to help you?
你不可以让你的朋友帮你吗？
6
ANNOYANCE
恼怒
used to show that you are annoyed about someone’s behaviour [口] 应该，应当〔用于表示恼怒〕 spoken
You could have told me you were going to be late (=you should have told me but you did not) !
你该告诉我你会迟到呀！
You could at least say that you’re sorry.
你至少应该道个歉。
How could you be so stupid!
你怎么会这么蠢！
7
couldn’t be better/worse/more pleased etc
used to emphasize how good, bad etc something is 非常好/糟/开心等
Their lifestyles couldn’t be more different.
他们的生活方式截然不同。
‘How are things?’ ‘Fine! Couldn’t be better.’
“近来怎么样？”“好！非常好。”
Ordering on-line couldn’t be simpler.
网上订购再方便不过。
8
I couldn’t
used to politely say that you do not want any more food or drink [英，口] 吃不下了〔用于礼貌地表示不再需要食物或饮料〕 BrE spoken
‘Would you like another piece of pie?’ ‘Oh, no thanks, I couldn’t.’
“你再来一块馅饼好吗？”“哦，不，谢谢，我吃不下了。”
9
could do with sth
to need or want something [口] 需要某物; 想要某物 spoken
I could do with a hot drink.
我想喝杯热饮料。