“本能够”在英语中常见的表达有 “could have done” ，它用于表示过去本来有能力做某事，但实际上却没有做，带有一种遗憾、惋惜或假设的语气。以下为你举例说明：
He could have passed the exam if he had studied harder. （他本能够通过考试的，要是他学习更努力些的话。）
You could have finished the work on time. （你本能够按时完成这项工作的。）
I could have bought that beautiful dress, but I didn't have enough money. （我本能够买下那条漂亮的裙子的，但我没有足够的钱，真可惜。）
They could have won the game if they had played more carefully. （他们本能够赢得这场比赛的，要是他们比赛时更细心些就好了。）