Example sentences of "[verb] [pron] could [verb] be " in BNC.
Next page| No | Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1 | ‘ I do n't think I could stand being a nurse because I would get too involved , so I hope one day to join the fire brigade , ’ she said . |
| 2 | Do you think I could have been as I was with you if I was already heavily involved with someone else ? ’ |
| 3 | ‘ You mean I could have been discussing it with some of your clients , like the Contessa Mantero ? ’ |
| 4 | and as I cooled I could have been |
| 5 | Officials say it could have been worse , the maximum fine is now five thousand pounds . |
| 6 | The prosecution says it belonged to Westmore James , the defence say it could have been owned by Ian Barnes and Westmore James had been acting inself defence . |
| 7 | The damage will run into thousands of pounds but the couple who live here say it could have been a lot worse . |
| 8 | Well the first time when he found it could comb is hair straight back with his right hand ; he could dry himself under his arms properly instead of just sort of wiping at it with a towel ; wash his teeth better , instead of using his left hand with difficulty because he 's never been really left handed . |
| 9 | For example , in the 1980s the UK appears to have hosted parts of an international car industry because it could provide a relatively cheap , disciplined and flexible labour force and , as a resuIt , the parts of the production process it could host were similar to those found in some Third World countries . |
| 10 | Part of the problem lies in the fact that much of this produce is exported and therefore land which could have been utilised to feed a domestic market is supplying an overseas population . |
| 11 | In 1990–91 the minimum benefit someone could receive was 50p , however from April 1991 benefit will be paid even if it is less than 50p a week . |
| 12 | A BRIDE-TO-BE says she could have been stranded after a wedding car company disappeared . |
| 13 | If your income is more than your ‘ applicable amount ’ the maximum benefit you could get is reduced by 15% ( 15p in every £1 ) of the difference between the applicable amount and the income . |
| 14 | ‘ Neither of us imagined she could have been so wonderful . ’ |
| 15 | The police believed it could have been a very large feral cat , or a puma or panther released after legislation on dangerous animals . |
| 16 | He says it could have been anxiety |
| 17 | She says it could have been tragic . |
| 18 | They 're now almost 1200 pounds out of pocket , but Norman says it could have been much worse if he 'd gone to America and fallen ill . |
| 19 | Alan Dysart was the model for what Harry imagined he could have been , given the advantages bestowed by an Oxford career . |
| 20 | I buy a cup of tea so thin it could have been made by Rachel 's landlady , and I stare out through a steamed-up café window across the cold empty promenade . |
| 21 | GRAEME RALPH 's quick thinking prevented what could have been a devastating rail crash . |
| 22 | I mean you could get is , would he wear them if they were half decent |
| 23 | Labour leader John Smith said there was concern that equipment was supplied which could have been used against British personnel and that the truth about a secret change in policy appeared to have been concealed from the public . |
| 24 | Looking at the terms of the agreement as contained in the letter from Hunter 's attorney , and the receipt , it is manifest that the payment was not made in discharge of the plaintiff 's rights against all other parties ; and the result of the whole is , that it does not operate as a release , or matter which could have been pleaded as an accord and satisfaction , but amounts merely to an engagement not to sue Hunter , which can only be pleaded by himself ; if the action , therefore , had been brought against two parties , it would not have been a discharge to both . |
| 25 | Theda paused , wondering who could have been her ladyship 's informant . |
| 26 | ‘ I ca n't believe he could have been that stupid . |
| 27 | Or you may be like those who tell me they 've used what could have been a disaster to make their lives more what they wanted them to be . |
| 28 | 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. ) . |
| 29 | Wallace came on shortly before time and showed what could have been with some fast ground-oriented attacking . |
| 30 | By doing so , the publisher has marred what could have been an excellent publication , but , equally important . |