could也能表示过去的一般的允许:$ d0 ~' x( ?# X! i5 |1 t- x
On Sundays we could(=were allowed to)stay up late.
$ c# `& U& k/ r3 I0 n& G 星期天晚上我们能到较晚才睡。
+ }, {% L* V4 p, M* m* Z 当某一具体行为获准并付诸实施时,就必须用was/were allowed代替could:
9 h2 w1 f7 \$ O# J$ z I had a visa so I was allowed to cross the frontier.. f+ h3 i! N$ W7 E$ X& R+ X; o
我有签证,所以我被允许越过边界。
6 j+ [& w7 D" U0 F2 | couldn't的用法比could要稍为广泛一些:* u6 y; A: h3 l
We couldn't bring our dog into the restaurant.- I5 H6 X1 m! u+ q- A# D
我们不能把狗带进饭馆里。
/ M2 W+ `: P) T8 |3 m4 s. Q( _ 与此相反的意思应当用allow表示:# G& ^7 B6 ^3 P% @8 x3 E8 Z! X4 |
We were allowed to bring…) K8 `; T6 r' S8 x+ ]$ X0 g
允许我们把狗带进……,+ k7 ?! W* {- ]4 {! z9 _1 }
如欲使用完成时和被动语态,则必须用 allowed:
5 G2 a3 t) ^# v Since his accident he hasn't been allowed to drive.
9 ?( g/ Z/ c6 R6 E, C$ s. q3 ]3 Q 自从他出了车祸以后就不允许他再开车了。# a' C* w+ I6 i& |& a, D
As a child he had been allowed to do exactly what he liked.
! B9 t! {/ u* q2 S 他小时候,容许他爱干什么就干什么。 |