could表示猜测
could的用法 
(1) could表示主语的能力,为can的过去时形式,如: 
Daisy couldn't come yesterday because she was ill. 
戴西昨天不能来是因为她病了。 
They said they could swim. 他们说他们会游泳。 
(2) could表示说话人的猜测(即可能性)。如: 
He could be right. 他或许是对的。 
Could it be Henry? 可能是亨利吗? 
At that time we thought the story could not be true. 
那时我们认为所说的事不可能是真的。 
(3) could表示许可。如: 
Father said I could swim in the river. 
爸爸说我可以在河里游泳。 
Could I help you? 我能帮忙吗? (比Can I help you?婉转) 
The man asked if he could smoke in the hall. 
那个人问可不可以在大厅里吸烟。 
(4)“could 完成式”用于肯定句时一般表示过去可能完成却未完成的动作。如: 
I could have reported you. 我本可以报告你的。 
You could have let me know earlier. 你本来该早一些告诉我。
2.The government still owns sixty-one percent of GM as a result of the bailout.
as a result of由于…的结果
例句:He was injured as a result of boiler explosion.
      他因锅炉爆炸而受伤。
 
3.GM plans an IPO, an initial public offering of stock, later this year. 
IPO(Initial Public Offering)即是股票对公众的初始出售,也就是我们一般所说的上市。当这些股票最初以报出价格在一级市场发行之后
就在二级市场交易。一级市场由将股票分配给机构或个人投资者的承销商组成。一级市场本质上代表了公司股票在股票市场(NASDAQ, AMEX, NYSE, OTC)正式交易前发生的一切。
4.Many experts believe the Treasury will act slowly over time after the public offering is completed.
over time随着时间的过去,随着时间的推移
例句:the lake shallowed over time. 
      随着时间的流逝,那个小湖变浅了。
5.GM believes it can make that happen, in part with a new electric-and-gas hybrid.
in part部分地,有些,在某种程度上