Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • Was Were Able To, Could

    Uploaded by

    Amalia
    35 views1 page
    The document discusses the differences between using "was/were able to" and "could" when referring to abilities in the past. It states that "was/were able to" and "could" both refer to abilities that existed in the past but no longer do. However, "was/were able to" is used for abilities related to a single past event, while "couldn't/wasn't/weren't able to" are used for negative statements regarding abilities, whether for a single past event or a period of time in the past.

    Original Description:

    Original Title

    Was Were Able to,Could

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    The document discusses the differences between using "was/were able to" and "could" when referring to abilities in the past. It states that "was/were able to" and "could" both refer to abilities that existed in the past but no longer do. However, "was/were able to" is used for abilities related to a single past event, while "couldn't/wasn't/weren't able to" are used for negative statements regarding abilities, whether for a single past event or a period of time in the past.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    35 views1 page

    Was Were Able To, Could

    Uploaded by

    Amalia
    The document discusses the differences between using "was/were able to" and "could" when referring to abilities in the past. It states that "was/were able to" and "could" both refer to abilities that existed in the past but no longer do. However, "was/were able to" is used for abilities related to a single past event, while "couldn't/wasn't/weren't able to" are used for negative statements regarding abilities, whether for a single past event or a period of time in the past.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 1

    WAS/WERE ABLE TO vs COULD

     WAS/WERE ABLE TO & COULD  an ability that existed for a long


    time, but no longer exists.
    e.g. When I was young, I was able to speak two languages. OR
    When I was young, I could speak two languages.

     WAS/WERE ABLE TO  an ability related to a single event or


    incident in the past.
    e.g. I was able to surprise my teacher yesterday.

     COULDN’T / WASN’T/WEREN’T ABLE TO  negative statements


    for both single events and a long period of time in the past.

    I wasn’t able to surprise my teacher yesterday. OR


    I couldn’t surprise my teacher yesterday.

    I was never able to surprise my teacher. OR


    I couldn’t ever surprise my teacher.

    You might also like