couldn't
couldn't — 情態動詞
1. the usual short spoken and informal written form used instead of could not
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
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。
We couldn't hear Bilal over the music in the gym.
我們在體育館裡無法聽清 Bilal 的聲音。
couldn't + hear for failed ability
The old lock couldn't be opened after last night's heavy rain.
昨晚下過大雨後,那把舊鎖無法打開。
passive pattern: couldn't be + past participle
The nurse couldn't reach the village before sunset.
那位護理師在日落前無法到達那個村子。
- couldn't find
- couldn't hear
- couldn't reach
- couldn't come
- could not
the full form, used for emphasis or in more formal writing
- 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
常見搭配
副詞搭配
- still couldn't
常用片語
- couldn't find
- couldn't hear
- couldn't reach