Example sentences of "could not tell [conj] " in BNC.
Next page| No | Sentence |
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| 1 | When western doctors went in to look for thyroid and other illnesses , they could not tell whether the apparent increase they discovered in these things was due to radiation or to the fact that no one had done such a thorough diagnosis before . |
| 2 | He could not tell whether she believed him . |
| 3 | Her mouth opened and closed , but Clive could not tell whether she was making any noises . |
| 4 | Somewhere , he could not tell whether it was near or far , somewhere outside his present universe of ice , a bell was tolling . |
| 5 | Sometimes , especially when the sun was low and blinding , I could not tell whether a dark shape was a rock a hundred yards away or a crag at three miles . |
| 6 | With nine she felt she could not tell whether or not she could have provided support at home because it was impossible to assess their home care potential while they were in an institution . |
| 7 | If in the latter one could not tell whether his voice was as bad as it was supposed to be , the former gave ample proof . |
| 8 | She could not tell whether it had been a matter of minutes or several hours . |
| 9 | We could not tell whether Jones had heat data or was planning to look for this . |
| 10 | Hazel crouched down by Blackberry and laid his nostrils close to Bigwig 's , but a light breeze was blowing and he could not tell whether there was breath or not . |
| 11 | She looked hard at Flavia who as so often could not tell whether Andrée was serious or contemptuous or amused . |
| 12 | I could not tell whether this was a reasonable assessment or whether it was neurotic . |
| 13 | But Cardiff could not tell whether it was the storm … or the thing jammed in the window aperture , free at last . |
| 14 | She could not tell whether their new dampness was the result of emotion or blinking . |
| 15 | She could not tell whether this was mere sarcasm . |
| 16 | In the dark it was impossible to see whether the curtains were drawn , but certainly no chink of light showed and she could not tell whether he was there , asleep , or whether his flat was empty . |
| 17 | She could not tell whether he also meant he would not be at the flat long , only long enough to collect his bag and take a taxi to whichever friend 's spare room he had negotiated to borrow . |
| 18 | Sally-Anne could not tell whether he said this critically or not . |
| 19 | All of his suspicions about women since Angela Deverill 's treatment of him came back with a rush , and he could not tell whether McAllister was registering shame or guilt . |
| 20 | Grant felt light-headed , but he could not tell whether it was due to the drug taking effect , or the happiness he felt at this news . |
| 21 | Owen could not tell whether this actually was the demonstration , conveniently moved in view of the circumstances , or whether Osman meant to whip things up to the point when the crowd would storm the barricade . |
| 22 | Ruthven had his cat with him , stroking it and muttering something — I could not tell whether he was talking to himself or his pet . |
| 23 | I could not tell if any of them had been involved but pleaded with them : ‘ If you know anything , please tell . |
| 24 | Even if the black hole did emit the right kinds of particles , one could not tell if they were actually the same particles that had gone down the other hole . |
| 25 | I was standing 15–20 yards from the incident and I could not tell if it was a handball . |
| 26 | Kimberley could not tell if Woolley were serious or mocking . |
| 27 | He could not tell if there was any connection between the events on this minor planet and those on the outer worlds . |
| 28 | When he awoke he could not tell if he had fainted or had been asleep for hours or even days . |
| 29 | So erm these two girls , I could n't I mean I was reading but could n't tell but they could . |
| 30 | that you could n't tell that this was this |