couldn't

couldn't — 情態動詞

1. the usual short spoken and informal written form used instead of could not

1.情態動詞A1
釋義

不能；無法

表示做不到或未能做成

the usual short spoken and informal written form used instead of could not

例句

Jude couldn't find his glasses on the train this morning.

Jude 今天早上在火車上找不到他的眼鏡。

couldn't + base verb for past inability

Eri couldn't come to dinner because her flight landed late.

Eri 因為班機降落太晚，不能來吃晚餐。

同義詞
  • could not

    the full form, used for emphasis or in more formal writing

反義詞
  • could

    the positive form used when ability or possibility is present

文法句型

couldn't + base verb

用法筆記

Common in speech and informal writing; the full form could not is more formal or adds emphasis.

常見錯誤

❌I couldn't to sleep last night.
✅I couldn't sleep last night.
💡After couldn't, use the base verb without to.
❌She couldn't went to class yesterday.
✅She couldn't go to class yesterday.
💡After couldn't, use the base form, not the past form.