how can/could

idiom

1

—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?

2

—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?

3

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

So how can companies ride out this period of huge investment? —Chris Perry, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

But how can this happen when resources are so limited? —Anthony Byrt, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025

Given the higher food costs and labor costs, how can these restaurants possibly stay profitable selling these cheap pizzas? —Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 28 Feb. 2025

And how can everyone reduce their chance of contracting pneumonia and other respiratory infections? Wen is an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. —Katia Hetter, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025