comment ont-ils pu

how could they

→ comment

phrase Rare #44,951

how could they Used to express surprise, disbelief, or criticism about something they did or managed to do. The inverted form ont-ils is common in formal or written French; in everyday speech, comment ont-ils pu is also used as a fixed expression.

FR: Comment ont-ils pu oublier leur propre anniversaire ?

EN: How could they forget their own birthday?

Comment ont-ils pu faire ça ?

How could they have done that?

Comment ont-ils pu l'avoir ?

How could they have gotten it?

— À bout de course (1988)

Comment ont-ils pu ?

How could they have done that?

Comment ont-ils pu bâtir cela ?

How were they able to build that?

— Astérix & Obélix : Mission Cléopâtre (2002)