could have been

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

Please read the sentence:
Such mistakes could have been avoided if we had been more careful. That means 'We made mistakes because we were not careful'. Then please read the following sentence:
She couldn't have been happier if it had been diamonds.
Could you please kindly explain what this sentence means? Does this mean ' It wasn't diamonds and she was happy' or 'It wasn't diamonds and she wasn't happy'?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

[Tdol]

It means that even if you had given her diamonds, she would not have been happier. It wasn't diamonds and she was delighted.

[jiang]

Dear Tdol,

First, Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.
Second, could you please explain the meaning of 'plain ring'? I can't find it in my dictionaries. I guess it is a ring but not a gold one or a diamond one. It's made of metal or something like that. Is that right?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

Originally Posted by Tdol

It means that even if you had given her diamonds, she would not have been happier. It wasn't diamonds and she was delighted.

[Humble]

Yes, Jiang,
You're right. Plain=simple.
Cheers

[jiang]

Hi,
Thank you very much for your reply. Now I see.
I'd like to type your name but why 'humble'?

Jiang

Originally Posted by Humble

Yes, Jiang,
You're right. Plain=simple.
Cheers

[Humble]

You are welcome, jiang. Humble is a username, a nick.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by jiang

Dear Tdol,

First, Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.
Second, could you please explain the meaning of 'plain ring'? I can't find it in my dictionaries. I guess it is a ring but not a gold one or a diamond one. It's made of metal or something like that. Is that right?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

In this sense, "plain" may refer to a ring without a precious stone, such as a diamond. It is not necessarily an inexpensive metal; it may just not be adorned with a jewel.

[jiang]

Dear Humble,

Yes, I know it is a username. but 'humble' means 'low in rank or position or poor'. That's why I don't want to type it. But I don't mean to interfere in your choice.

Jiang

Originally Posted by Humble

You are welcome, jiang. Humble is a username, a nick.

[jiang]

Dear Humble,

Yes, I know it is a username. but 'humble' means 'low in rank or position or poor'. So I think a positive username would be better.

Jiang

Originally Posted by Humble

You are welcome, jiang. Humble is a username, a nick.

[jiang]

Dear Mike,
Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.

Jiang

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

In this sense, "plain" may refer to a ring without a precious stone, such as a diamond. It is not necessarily an inexpensive metal; it may just not be adorned with a jewel.