重点“could have ~ed“ 在英文里意思 you were able to do, but didn't do。 你能做,但(实际上)并没有做.
唉,给你举个例 “You could have passed the test (=You were able to pass the test, but you didn't. 翻译:你(本或许能够)通过测试,但你(实际上)并没有通过)
而具体到那句“we are “72 hours into the diagnosis,” meaning the president could have tested positive as early as Wednesday”后半句是对“72 hours into the diagnosis,”的进一步解释说明,
意思是总统早在周三或许可检测出阳性,but the president didn't test。总统(实际上)并没有检测,假如若检测了其结果或阴或阳。医生推测,若周三做了检测结果可能会是阳性。就是说周三时并没做检测,更不要说确诊。
明白理解了没啊? 英文水平有待提高咯 :) 英文与中文是不同语言系统,语法和讲话思维也不同,直译会闹大笑话。