- 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
The mate observed regretfully that he could not account for that young fellow's whims.
那位伙伴很遗憾地说他不能说出那年轻人产生怪念头的原因.
《简明英汉词典》
I could tell that he was lying because he faced away while he was speaking.
我敢说他撒谎了,因为他说话时总是往旁边看.
《简明英汉词典》
没人能从那次雪崩中活着出来, 除非相信人能死而复生.
《简明英汉词典》
The captain ordered all sails lowered so the ship could ride out the storm.
船长命令把所有的帆放下以便船只安全渡过暴风雨.
《现代汉英综合大词典》
Harry, could you do the honours? Tom and Angela both want gin and tonic.
哈里, 能劳驾你 吗 ?汤姆和安杰拉都想要掺奎宁水的杜松子酒.
《简明英汉词典》
When I asked him if he could do so, he replied proudly, " What else?
”我问他是否做得到时, 他傲然地回答 “ 那还用问 吗 ?”
《简明英汉词典》
I could hear the director teeing off on his client's complaint as usual.
我能听到主任又像平时一样对客户的抱怨发火.
《简明英汉词典》
He was rigged up to a machine so that the nurses could check his heartbeat.
他身上连接了机器让护士检查心跳.
《简明英汉词典》
The few small rivers could not hold all the rain that fell during the wet season.
几条小河容不下雨季的全部雨水.
《现代汉英综合大词典》
- 相关词组
- can butconj.只能;
- can openern.开罐器;
- As far as I can see就我所知，据我看来;
- a can of一罐
- could you put me through to你能帮我接通...;我想找
- could not help禁不住，忍不住;
- could not but不得不…;必不得已;
- 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;
- can you你能吗
- a can opener开罐器
- two can play at that game两个人可以玩那个游戏
- can hardly几乎不能
- can do withv.能对付，需要;
- could do with需要;将就;能对付;
- fruit can水果罐头;
- could modal可能是模态
- can not but不得不;不由得;
- could go巴不得吃（或喝）;
- can not help不得不;
- can only只能
- 今日热词
- 热门搜索
- hertz n.<电>赫，赫兹（频率单位）;周秒;
- egg n.鸡蛋，蛋;卵;<俚>家伙;
- punch list 竣工查核事项表;剩余工作清单;问题清单;遗留问题清单
- stubborn adj.顽固的，固执的;顽强的或有决心的;坚持的;棘手的;
- prescription n. [医]药方，处方;处方药;训令，指示;法规;
- student n. 学生，大学生;研究者，学者;中学生;<美俚>初学者;
- unconditional adj.无条件的，绝对的;无限制的;无保留的;
- worship v.敬奉（神）;做礼拜;爱慕;n.崇拜;礼拜;爱慕;阁下;
- reporter n.记者;
- fz abbr.frozen 冻结的;freezing 结冰;freeze 结冰;forzando (Italian=with sudden emphasis) （意大利语）强调;
- webcams n.网络摄像机，网络摄影机( webcam的名词复数 );
- voice n. 嗓音;（动词的）语态;呼声，发言权;歌唱才能;vt. 发音;表达，说出;给（一部乐曲）配上声部;给（如管风琴音管）整声;
