- 词义辨析
could, can
could是can的过去式,但都表现在和将来:can比较直接,不留余地; could比较委婉,含有一定的感情色彩。
could, was/were able to
这两者共同的意思是“过去能够”。它们的区别在于:
1.was/were able to只能表示一次性事件,不能表示经常性事件; 而could可以用来表示习惯性动作的完成。例如:
I could run after a bus and catch it twenty years ago, but I can't do that now.20年前我能追上公共汽车,现在不行了。
2.was/were able to不仅表示过去的能力与可能性,还表示“能够并确实做到”,相当于managed to do,而且重点往往在于“成功地实行”; 而could主要表示“潜在的能力”。例如:
I was able to pass the examination.
我成功地通过了考试。
I could pass the examination.
我曾有能力通过考试。
但在否定句中,这种“潜能”与“完成”的区别就不存在了。两者都可以表示动作的未完成。例如:
I ran after the bus, but couldn't〔wasn't able to〕 catch it.我跑着追那辆公共汽车,但没能追上。
- 速记技巧
词源记忆法
来自can，能。-d, 过去分词后缀。
- 知识拓展
单词用法
could有时是can的过去式，有时不是。表示能力和允许时，could可用作can的过去式，但通常只表示一般性的能力或允许，除非在否定句中，它通常不表示特定场合下的能力和允许。2.表示可能性或客气地表示请求时，could本身可用于现在You could be right,but I donˈt think you are.你可能是对的，但我不这样认为。/Could you tell me how to get to the station?请问去车站怎么走?
重要短语
could be可能是；有可能
could have本能够；本来也可以
how could i我怎么能；我如何能够
could have done本来能做成的（却没做成）
近义词汇
was/were able to
- 双语例句 更多例句
His life seemed stuck in limbo; he could not go forward and he could not go back.
他的生活好像陷入了不知所措的境地，进退两难。
《牛津高阶英汉双解词典》
- 相关词组
- could modal可能是模态
- could have本能够; 本来也可以;
- could only表示一种于事实相反的设想，也就是“如果能…就好了”。;
- could care less[短语 couldn't care less的讹用]一点也不在乎；毫不关心，根本不放在心上;
- could you put me through to你能帮我接通...;我想找
- It is much to be regretted that we could not meet earlier相见恨晚
- could not help禁不住，忍不住;
- could not sleep all night夜不成寐;
- could be可能是;有可能;
- how could i我如何能够; 我怎么能;
- heat that could melt metals and calcine stones铄石流金
- could not but不得不…;必不得已;
- could not bear the sight惨不忍睹;
- could have done本来能做成的（却没做成）;
- nobody could
- wish that all lovers in the world could be united in wedlock愿天下有情人终成眷属
- so numerous that bamboo strips would be exhausted before they could all be recorded罄竹难书
- could do with需要;将就;能对付;
- could go巴不得吃（或喝）;
- how could岂能;
- 今日热词
- 热门搜索
- bbw abbr.bare brass wire 裸黄铜线;bus band width 总线带宽制动系统;保养品换季噜(Bath and Body Works);全电路制动系统
- betray v.出卖，辜负;背叛;流露出;
- mick jagger [人名]米克·贾格尔;米克贾格尔;米克-贾格尔;滚石乐队主唱
- height n.高度;高;高处;处于顶峰;…的极致，极点;
- offence n.犯罪，违反;冒犯，触怒;攻击;
- Where are you going 你去哪儿;你到哪里去;你要去哪里;你去哪里
- announce vi.宣布参加竞选;当播音员;vt.宣布;述说;声称;预告;
- research n.研究，调查，探索;v.研究，探索;搜集资料;
- sausage n.香肠，腊肠;〈口〉德国人;
- here you are 给你;
- algebra n.代数学，代数;
- happy adj.感到（或显得）快乐的，高兴的;给予（或带来）快乐的，使人高兴的，幸福的;表示祝愿，如Happy Birthday生日快乐、Happy New Year新年好等;（对某人或事物）满意的，放心的;情愿，乐意（做某事）;幸运的;合适的，恰当的;<口>微醉的
