Example sentences of "what could have " in BNC.
Next page| No | Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1 | 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. ) . |
| 2 | Travelling half-way round the world to run in a race that is two furlongs longer than one taking place in the town where Old Vic is trained seems a rather extreme route away from providing what could have been a thrilling contest . |
| 3 | The play is enlivened by the vicious energy of the performances and by a variety of Irish music and dance which ranges from mournful ballads to the jolliest of jigs , transforming what could have been a dreary harangue into an invigorating ensemble work . |
| 4 | Just think what could have happened . |
| 5 | The architect , Roy Toms , of the Waverly District Council , was worried about what could have been an unsympathetic alteration to a venerable building , but a visit to St Martin 's , Dorking , another Woodyer church , confirmed that its architect had adopted raking parapets to terminate the aisle roofs there , and the discovery of this period precedent vindicated the use of this treatment at St James Court . |
| 6 | Further west , the resorts of Vail in Colorado , and Calgary in Canada averted what could have been a disastrous Winter Olympics last February by making extensive use of artificial snow . |
| 7 | One can only be fearful of what could have been the situation . ’ |
| 8 | She did not understand what could have made the boy run off in the opposite direction . |
| 9 | A black British guy putting his views on US TV what could have been more beautiful ? |
| 10 | The premature end to what could have been a professional ballet career meant that Carol at least had more time to devote to the blossoming courtship with a young accountant , Ron Minogue . |
| 11 | Kathryn , who is married with an 18-month-old daughter , said she was just curious to know whether these experiences could be connected with reincarnation and says that at times : ‘ I feel restless , a sort of sad yearning for what could have been a past life . ’ |
| 12 | WHAT could have been a disastrous start for fifth-year pupils at Bohunt School to the social event of the school year was averted by quick-thinking and the help of a parent . |
| 13 | The best way out of this quandary is to stop thinking about mistakes as such and to ask yourself regularly ‘ What could have gone better ? ’ |
| 14 | List what went well and what could have gone better . |
| 15 | But as the plane taxied along the runway at Praia airport and I looked out on what could have been a simulated view from a lunar module , I sensed how daunting the task would be . |
| 16 | By doing so , the publisher has marred what could have been an excellent publication , but , equally important . |
| 17 | It was a tragic ending to what could have , undoubtedly would have , been a golden career . |
| 18 | What could have happened ? |
| 19 | Though these accident reductions are to be welcomed , they have to be seen in the context of what could have been achieved using alternative approaches , such as those used in Buxtehude or Berlin-Moabit . |
| 20 | The ‘ dig ’ carried out in 1984 brought to light what could have been the main centre of administration in Anglo-Saxon times and could well have been the site for the ancient ‘ Dic Ring ’ from which Dickering got its name . |
| 21 | Elizabeth tuned over in her mind the possibilities of what could have befallen George . |
| 22 | There are certain clues to what could have happened . |
| 23 | I could n't see whether the revolver was a replica or real , and I certainly was n't going to risk my life for what could have been a bag of pennies . |
| 24 | What could have upset Johnnie ? |
| 25 | Paul Hale 's devotion to duty went beyond what could have been expected of anyone , said Mr Justice Otton . |
| 26 | The acquaintance is shocked , asks what could have happened to bring about this change , so the main character explains . |
| 27 | We came to the question of fuel oil — I was just wondering out loud , natural curiosity , I hope she thought — as to what could have caused the explosion . |
| 28 | Derek seems to remember that it was shortly after this change that a couple of what could have been nasty instances occurred . |
| 29 | The Goblin King , Grom the Paunch of Misty Mountain , infamous old Goblin Warlord and Lord of the Crags , was suddenly and unexpectedly struck by what could have been a big rock were it not for the sploshy red stuff that exploded from it , showering the goblin horde . |
| 30 | What could have possessed him to want somebody he could n't even see ? |