英语 编辑

其他形式 编辑

词源 编辑

源自中古英語 coudecouthecuthe,源自古英語 cūþecunnan (能够)(对比相关词cūþ,派生出couth)的直陈过去式或虚拟式。受到与shouldwould类比的影响,“L”在16世纪初叶引入,两词的“L”常被错误略去的现象(产生了shuddwode等词形)可能也起到了推动作用。[1][2]

发音 编辑

  • (重读) IPA(幫助)/kʊd/, [kʰʊd]
    • 文檔
  • (非重读) IPA(幫助)/kəd/, [kʰəd]
  • (弃用) IPA(幫助)/kʊld/, /kuːld/
  • 韻部:-ʊd

动词 编辑

could

  1. can 的簡單過去時
    Before I was blind, I could see very well.
    我失明之前视力很好。
  2. can條件式
    1. 用来表示过去虚拟式,表示与现实相对的假设。
      I think he could do it if he really wanted to.
      我觉得他要是想肯定做的。
      I wish I could fly!
      我要是飞就好了。
    2. 用来礼貌地请求许可。
      Could I borrow your coat?
      可以借一下你的外套吗?
    3. 用来礼貌地请求别人做某事。
      Could you proofread this email?
      可以帮我校对一下这封邮件吗?
    4. 用来表示某事可能会发生。
      • 2013年6月29日,“Travels and travails”,出自 w:The Economist,卷號407,期號8842, 頁號55:
        Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message: America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.
        (請為本引文添加中文翻譯)
      We could rearrange the time if you like.
      您希望的话我们可以重新安排一下日程。
    5. 用来表示建议。
      You could try adding more salt to the soup.
      你试试给汤里多加点盐。
  3. (泰恩赛德外棄用) can過去時分詞
    • 1981,Anthony Warner, English Auxiliaries: Structure and History,出版年份1993, →ISBN, 頁號222:
      I haven't could sleep.
      (請為本引文添加中文翻譯)

用法说明 编辑

  • 一些使用者认为不能用could指许可,而应用might,类似指许可时使用may来替换can

衍生词汇 编辑

相关词汇 编辑

名词 编辑

could (複數 coulds)

  1. 可能性
    • 1996, Fred Shoemaker, Extraordinary Golf: The Art of the Possible,頁號 88:
      When the golf ball is there, the whole self-interference package — the hopes, worries, and fears; the thoughts on how-to and how-not-to; the woulds, the coulds, and the shoulds — is there too.
      (請為本引文添加中文翻譯)
    • 2010, Shushona Novos, The Personal Universal: A Guidebook for Spiritual Evolution,頁號 395:
      Shushona you must learn to rightfully prioritize all the woulds, shoulds and coulds of your life.
      (請為本引文添加中文翻譯)

参考资料 编辑

  1. can, v.1.”, OED Online  , Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, March 2017
  2. Christopher Upward, George Davidson, The History of English Spelling (2011), section "Silent L"

异序词 编辑