四、表示未曾實現的想法

即表示過去本來有做某事的打算或意圖，但實際上沒有實現，通常譯為“本來可以”。如：

I could have lent you the money. Why didn't you ask me? 我本來可以借這筆錢給你的。你為什么不向我提出?

I could have given you some hints, but I suppose you thought yourself too grand. 我本可以給你點提示的，但是我認為你太自負了。

五、表示未曾實現的選擇

即表示過去本來可以有機會選擇做某事，但實際上沒有那樣做，通常譯為“本來可以”。如：

Her husband could have told her, but he did not choose to. 她丈夫本來可以告訴她的，但他不想這樣做。

I could have lent you the money. Why didn’t you ask me? 我本來可以借這筆錢給你的，你為什么不向我提出?

You needn’t have typed it twice. You could have used a carbon. 你沒必要打兩遍的，你當時本可以用復寫紙打。

You needn’t have walked up; you could have taken the lift. 你沒必要走著上去，你本來可以乘電梯的。

六、表示批評或責備

即表示過去本來有責任或義務應該做某事的，但實際上卻沒有做成，含有批評和責備的意味，通常譯為“本來應該”“本來可以”等。如：

You could have started a little earlier. 你本可早點動身的。

You could have helped me—why did you just sit and watch? 你本來可以幫我一把嘛——為什么你只是坐在那兒觀望呢?

I am disappointed that you didn’t tell me. You could have told me.  你沒告訴我，我感到很失望，你本來應該告訴我的。

You could have let me know you were going out tonight. 你本來可以告訴我你今晚是要出去的。

七、表示達到極限

表示即使人們盡力而為去做某事，但還是未能做成，通常用于否定句。如：

I couldn’t have won, so I didn’t go in for the race. 反正我也贏不了，所以我就沒有參加賽跑。

I couldn’t have enjoyed myself more—it was a perfect day. 我玩得沒法再痛快了——這一天簡直痛快極了。

八、表示驚訝

表示對所發生的情況感到驚奇，含有“竟然”的意味。如：

It seems inconceivable that the accident could have happened so quickly. 這一事故發生得這么快，簡直不可思議。

Well, I’m blowed! I should never have thought you could have done it. 真想不到! 我從未想到居然辦得到。

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