Example sentences of "[vb past] [pron] could have " in BNC.
Next page| No | Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1 | While I was on bail and Stephen was still with foster parents , they promised I could have Stephen for Christmas . |
| 2 | and as I cooled I could have been |
| 3 | It was difficult to make sure I had taken the right things but not too much and I found I could have done with less . |
| 4 | J. was one of these in his capacity as fitter/armourer , and he was there when an accident occurred which could have escalated into absolute disaster . |
| 5 | Isabel lay very still , her muscles so rigid with tension that she doubted she could have moved anyway . |
| 6 | ‘ Neither of us imagined she could have been so wonderful . ’ |
| 7 | It seemed they could have everything merely because they were boys , they would not have to sacrifice anything for anything else . |
| 8 | The police believed it could have been a very large feral cat , or a puma or panther released after legislation on dangerous animals . |
| 9 | Alan Dysart was the model for what Harry imagined he could have been , given the advantages bestowed by an Oxford career . |
| 10 | GRAEME RALPH 's quick thinking prevented what could have been a devastating rail crash . |
| 11 | He suddenly realized she could have died , that something awful could have taken place after he passed out . |
| 12 | He thus turned what could have been a tragedy into a melodrama , i.e. ‘ a sensational dramatic piece with crude appeals to the emotions ’ ( O.E.D. ) . |
| 13 | Wallace came on shortly before time and showed what could have been with some fast ground-oriented attacking . |
| 14 | I was so elated and relieved I could have kissed them , but immediately felt ashamed that I 'd let them see my fear . |
| 15 | Partly it was pride ; I could n't countenance exposing all that I was feeling ; but — and I know this does n't mitigate anything , but perhaps it balances the self-interest , self-protection or whatever it was — even then I was also still afraid of succumbing to the temptation to use the power I sensed I could have over you , and the use would have been abuse . ’ |
| 16 | Horror stories abound : of the rogue 's law that prevented any port agent who sold directly to fishmongers from ever trading with a Billingsgate merchant again ; of the nepotism that determined who could have a stand in the market ; and of prices that varied according to who you were and whether you had a good introduction . |
| 17 | But with a bit of money spent you could have a nice little spinney there — be pretty in the spring . |
| 18 | ‘ Coffee , please , ’ she grinned , so relieved she could have hugged him . |
| 19 | Erm we discovered we could have come through this road here |
| 20 | Hoomey set off up the hill , half running , so relieved he could have cried . |
| 21 | He also had an eagle two at the 11th and two more birdies at 13 and 14 but dropped shots at 15 and 16 spoilt what could have been a six under par round . |
| 22 | And the good kind fireman-uncle decided we could have the bike — on small payments . |
| 23 | Nothing that preceded it could have prepared its audience for a work of such comic brilliance , masterly characterization , and sheer breadth of conception . |
| 24 | When Jonathan Malcolm and his girlfriend met they could have little idea of the trouble which lay in store . |
| 25 | If he could have pulled her into his arms at that moment he knew nothing could have stopped him from making love to her . |
| 26 | Anyway , that meant I could have a decent drink and trust to luck not to have to need a lift back . |
| 27 | I 'd never been in the cab of a moving train before , and I felt I could have stayed there all day . |
| 28 | For a few horrible moments I thought the motor would n't fire , but after several pulls it caught , then I just hooked my overnight bag over one shoulder , took the tiller and made for the shore , which looked so close that I felt I could have swum across . ’ |
| 29 | ‘ I felt I could have contributed something , even as a substitute at some stage of the game . |
| 30 | It was then that I knew I could have a fight on my hands : If the manager sided with him and asked me to move a few feet away then I 'd have no choice but to join in the squabble . |