请教一个could have been 的用法
问题描述：
请教一个could have been 的用法
But it could have been neither the execution of the work, nor the immortal beauty of the countenance, which had so suddenly and so vehemently moved me.
书上说could have been 通常用于虚拟语气,或者翻译成“本来可能”,“本来应该”.但我觉得在这个句子里could have been 好像都不是这个意思.请问这句话中could have been 是什么意思?该怎么翻译?
谢了先.
答
我不知道这个句子的前后语境.我感觉应当翻译为：但无论是工作的完成还是那永恒美丽的面孔,都不应当能够如此突然且强烈的感动我.
could have been我个人觉得就是翻译为”本来应该“,但是有neither...nor在这个句子中,就是”本不因该“.
我猜测这个句子的作者是想说,他对于工程完工后的壮美景象早有思想准备,不至于受到震撼,但是确依然被完工后的美景所感动了.
个人拙见,希望对你有用.