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| MODAL VERB |
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| weak /kəd/ |
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| strong /kʊd/ |
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| 1 | past tense of ‘can’
used as the past tense of ‘can’ （用作can 的过去式） |
| Renee could already read when she was four. 勒妮4岁就识字了。 |
| In the distance I could see a cloud of smoke. 我能看到远处有一团烟。 |
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| 2 | spoken in requests
used in polite requests, or when offering or suggesting something （用于礼貌地请求以及提供或建议某事物时）可以，能 |
| Could I have a glass of water? 我可以要杯水吗？ |
| Could you post this letter for me? 你能帮我寄这封信吗？ |
| I wonder if we could borrow your lawnmower? 请问我们能否借用一下你的割草机？ |
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| 3 | saying what is possible
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| | 3a | used for saying that something is possible or that it may happen 可能 | | We could still win – the game isn’ t over yet. 我们仍然有可能赢，比赛还没有结束呢。 | | In a situation like this, anything could happen. 在这种情况下，任何事情都可能发生。 | | could easily You could easily lose your way in the dark. 人在黑暗中很容易迷路。 | |
| | 3b | used for suggesting to someone a possible course of action , especially when they are in a difficult situation （尤指在困境中时用于向某人提建议）可以 | | You could come and stay with us. 你可以来和我们呆在一起。 | | could always You could always sell the cottage if you need some extra cash. 如果还需要一些现金，你随时可以把小屋卖掉。 | |
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| 4 | spoken expressing annoyance
used for showing that you are annoyed at the way someone has behaved （用于表示对某人的行为的厌恶）能，可以 |
| How could you be so cruel! 你怎么能这么残忍！ |
| They could at least have said they were sorry. 他们至少应该说声对不起。 |
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| 5 | spoken for emphasis
used for emphasizing how angry , happy , bored etc you are （用于强调愤怒、高兴、烦恼等的程度） |
| It’ s all Helen’ s fault. I could strangle her! 都是海伦的错。我真想勒死她！ |
| When I heard the news, I was so happy I could have cried. 听到那条消息时，我高兴得简直要哭了。 |
| PHRASES |
| - | could have (done sth) spoken
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| 1 | used for saying that something was possible in the past , even though it did not happen （用于表示过去可能发生而未发生的事）本来可能（做某事） | You could have been killed. 你本来可能已经被杀了。 | | I could have told you, but I didn’ t think you would listen. 我本来想告诉你，但我当时认为你不会听的。 | | She could have married Gerald if she’ d wanted to. 她要是愿意的话，早就已经和杰拉尔德结婚了。 | |
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| 2 | used for saying that perhaps something was true , although you do not really know （用于表示某事可能是事实）可能 | The explosion could have been caused by a gas leak. 爆炸可能是由煤气泄漏引起的。 | | It could have been Dan, but I’ m not sure. 有可能是丹，但我不能确定。 | |
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| - | couldn’ t be better/worse/nicer etc mainly spoken
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| used for emphasizing that someone or something is extremely goodbadnice etc |
| 再好/坏不过 |
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| The two brothers couldn’ t be more different (=they are very different) . 这兄弟俩大不相同。 |
| I was so nervous, but she couldn’ t have been nicer to me. 我很紧张，但她对我已经好得无以复加了。 |
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| - | I couldn’ t spoken
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| used for politely saying ‘no’ when someone offers you something |
| （用于礼貌地表示拒绝）我不要了 |
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| ‘More ice cream?’ ‘No, thanks. I couldn’ t.’ “再来点儿冰淇淋？”“不，谢谢。我吃不下了。” |
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| - | I couldn’ t ask/wish for... spoken
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| used for saying that something is so good , you cannot imagine anything better |
| …是再好不过了 |
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| I couldn’ t wish for a better husband. 我丈夫已经再好不过了。 |
| We got fantastic support – we couldn’ t have asked for more. 我们得到了极大的支持，这已经是再好不过的事了。 |
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