how can/could

idiom

—used to show that one thinks that someone has done or said something shocking or wrong

"We don't need his help anyway." "How can you say that?!"

How could she just walk away from her children like that?

—used to express doubt that something will happen, is possible, etc.

How could I (ever/possibly) leave this job?

How can I (ever/possibly) thank you?

informal

—used to show disappointment in someone's actions, thoughts, words, etc.

He threw away my gift? Oh, how could he?

Examples of how can/could in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Not ranked: New Jersey Devils — So how can a team be in first place in its conference and the top three overall without earning a spot in our top five? —

Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024 If everyone is in purgatory, how can Heather come and go? —

Claire Franken, TVLine, 29 Dec. 2024 But how could an organization make the shift from being a losing team to a playoff team in only a matter of months? —

David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024 Some are familiar, because how could the show continue without the iconic Red Light/Green Light giant robot girl? —

Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for how can/could

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“How can/could.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/how%20can%2Fcould. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.

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