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

And how could Underwood’s decision to perform at President Trump’s Inauguration have anything to do with Swift? —Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 8 Apr. 2025

If the settlement violates Title IX, how could Wilken approve it? —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Stephanie Tharpe: What are some of the most persistent biases that impact women of color in business, and how can institutions and investors work to dismantle them? —Stephanie Tharpe, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

And how could such a thing even be determined scientifically? —Samantha Allen, Them, 25 Mar. 2025