could've

Определение could've в Английский Язык Английский Язык словарь: Used to show there was possibility of something happening in the past, but it did not happen
We could've missed the bus, but we just caught it.; Could've is the usual spoken form of `could have', when `have' is an auxiliary verb; {f} used to express the possibility that one may have been able to do something
could: Used to suggest something
You could try adding more salt to the soup.
could: Simple past of can
Before I was blind, I could see very well.
could: Used to politely ask for permission to do something
Could I borrow your coat?.
could: Used to politely ask for someone else to do something
Could you proof-read this email?.
could: Used to show the possibility that something might happen
We could rearrange the time if you like.
could I see the menu, please: Said in a restaurant, to ask for the menu
could be written on the back of a postage stamp: Is very small or limited
Something classical that Annie couldn't immediately place, which was hardly surprising given that what Annie knew about symphonies could be written on the back of a postage stamp.
could care less: Lacking interest; having apathy towards
Maybe it wasn't only time to move away from a job that was killing her spirit, but from people who could care less about her as a person, who saw her only as the good girl from next door, the one who would never do anything to upset anyone, who totally underestimated her.
could do with: To need something that would be beneficial
That cutter is no good to me now. I could have done with it yesterday.
could do without: To say that something is not wanted because it makes the situation worse than it was, or is simply very annoying
I could do without the CEO coming today of all days. I've got enough problems as it is!.
could fit on the back of a postage stamp: Alternative form of could be written on the back of a postage stamp
could have done with: Simple past of could do with
could have done without: Past participle form of both can do without and could do without
could not get elected dogcatcher: Is unpopular, particularly of politicians
Men like him couldn't get elected dogcatcher. He was a natural lieutenant, not a leader, and it was a fact he accepted with neither bitterness nor regret.
could of: Eye dialect misspelling and mispronunciation of could have or could've
could one be any more: This person couldn't be any more
I just misspelled my own name! Could I be any stupider?.
could: You use could to indicate that someone had the ability to do something. You use could not or couldn't to say that someone was unable to do something. For my return journey, I felt I could afford the extra and travel first class I could see that something was terribly wrong When I left school at 16, I couldn't read or write There was no way she could have coped with a baby around
could: could WEAK STRONG Could is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. Could is sometimes considered to be the past form of can, but in this dictionary the two words are dealt with separately
could: You use could to indicate that something sometimes happened. Though he had a temper and could be nasty, it never lasted He could be very pleasant when he wanted to
could: You use could when you are saying that one thing or situation resembles another. The charming characters she draws look like they could have walked out of the 1920s
could: politeness People sometimes use structures with if I could or could I as polite ways of interrupting someone or of introducing what they are going to say next. Well, if I could just interject Could I ask you if there have been any further problems? First of all, could I begin with an apology for a mistake I made last week? = may
could: You use could have to indicate that something was a possibility in the past, although it did not actually happen. He could have made a fortune as a lawyer He did not regret saying what he did but felt that he could have expressed it differently
could: emphasis You use could not or couldn't with comparatives to emphasize that someone or something has as much as is possible of a particular quality. For example, if you say `I couldn't be happier', you mean that you are extremely happy. The rest of the players are a great bunch of lads and I couldn't be happier The news couldn't have come at a better time
could: You use could not or couldn't to indicate that it is not possible that something is true. Anne couldn't be expected to understand the situation He couldn't have been more than fourteen years old
could: You use could, or couldn't in questions, when you are making offers and suggestions. I could call the local doctor You could look for a career abroad where environmental jobs are better paid and more secure It would be a good idea if you could do this exercise twice or three times on separate days
could: could do with: see do
could: politeness You use could in questions when you are making a polite request or asking for permission to do something. Speakers sometimes use couldn't instead of `could' to show that they realize that their request may be refused. Could I stay tonight? Could I speak to you in private a moment, John? He asked if he could have a cup of coffee Couldn't I watch you do it?
could: You use could after `if' when talking about something that you do not have the ability or opportunity to do, but which you are imagining in order to consider what the likely consequences might be. If I could afford it I'd have four television sets If only I could get some sleep, I would be able to cope
could: Used as an auxiliary, in the past tense or in the conditional present
could: Pourrait Demande polie Passé de Can (possibilité - capacité) Could you slow down? He could not stay there
could: You use could to indicate that something is possibly true, or that it may possibly happen. Doctors told him the disease could have been caused by years of working in smokey clubs An improvement in living standards could be years away = might
could: You use could to talk about a possibility, ability, or opportunity that depends on other conditions. Their hope was that a new and better East Germany could be born I knew that if I spoke to Myra, I could get her to call my father
could: 1) (can, could, could) 2) might, would be able to
could: Was, should be, or would be, able, capable, or susceptible
could: emphasis You use could to say emphatically that someone ought to do the thing mentioned, especially when you are annoyed because they have not done it. You use why couldn't in questions to express your surprise or annoyance that someone has not done something. We've come to see you, so you could at least stand and greet us properly Idiot! You could have told me! He could have written Why couldn't she have said something?
could: emphasis You use could when you are expressing strong feelings about something by saying that you feel as if you want to do the thing mentioned, although you do not do it. `Welcome back' was all they said. I could have kissed them! She could have screamed with tension
could: (aux v ) vUE, voohee
could: emphasis In speech, you use how could in questions to emphasize that you feel strongly about something bad that has happened. How could you allow him to do something like that? How could she do this to me?
could afford: could allow, could permit
could be: possibly, may be
could be glimpsed from afar: visible from a distance, can be viewed on the horizon
could hardly make ends meet: barley earned enough money to pay his bills, barely earned enough to survive
could not believe: was not able to believe, could not have faith in
could not find his way: lost his way, got lost
could not find it in his heart: didn't have the heart to-, was not able to
could not help: could not control himself, could not resist
could not imagine: couldn't think of -, couldn't conceive, was unable to picture in one's mind
could not see: was unable to see; could not understand
could not sleep: was unable to fall asleep
could not stand the pain: could not carry the burden of the pain, could not suffer from the pain
could not stand the pressure: could not carry the burden of the pressure, could not handle the pressure
could not take his eyes off: could not turn away from, had to look at
could not understand it: did not succeed in comprehending it, the matter eluded him
could not wait: did not succeed in waiting any longer (out of excitement, anticipation, anger, etc.)
I could eat a horse: Very hungry; short form of "I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse."
he could be her father: One could be someone's parent, said of a man older than a woman
if looks could kill: Used to characterize a look of strong hostility
one could be someone's parent: Said to emphasize age disparity of a couple, usually to express disapproval and imply the possibility of choosing a partner with closer age
she could be his mother: One could be someone's parent, said of a woman older than a man
Could have: coulda
as best he could: to the best of his ability, as well as possible, as well as he was able
as fast as he could: as quickly as he could, as fast as time allowed him, as fast as his spirit could carry him
as hard as he could: as much as his ability would allow; with all his strength, with all his powers
before he could say Jack Robinson: very quickly, before he could react
before one could say Jack Robinson: with great speed
did everything he could: did everything within his power, did everything humanly possible
did whatever he could: did all that was possible, did all he was capable of
fled as fast as his legs could carry him: ran away as quickly as possible, ran for his life
his life could be in danger: there awakened a fear for his life
it could have been worse: got out of it cheap
sorry could not resist: I apologize but I couldn't help myself
the figure could not be confirmed: number has not yet been determined to be accurate
who could have known that: no one could have known, it was impossible to know
you could cut it with a knife: very uncomfortable atmosphere, very tense atmosphere, extremely tense tension in a room; something very thick (hot and humid air, heavy accent)