Instructions. Decide which meaning best describes the underlined phrase.
Explanation
Affirmative Sentences and Questions 1. Both could and was/were able to can be used when talking about abilities or skills that existed during an extended period of time. In such cases, there is no difference in meaning between could and was/were able to.
When Russell was in high school, he was on the high school track team. a. He could run the 800 meter race very well b. He was able to run the 800 meter race very well. Both a. and b. have the same meaning.
c. Was Russell able to run the 800 meter race well? d. Could Russell run the 800 meter race well? Both c. and d. have the same meaning.
2. When talking about actions or abilities that were repeated, both could and was/were able to can be used e. When we were staying at the hotel on the beach, we were able to see the sun rise every morning. f. When we were staying at the hotel on the beach, we could see the sun rise every morning. Both e. and f. have the same meaning.
3. Use only was/were able to in affirmative sentences and questions when talking about actions or abilities that occurred only one time in the past.
Darryl's car had a flat tire yesterday, so he took the bus to work. g. He was able to fix the tire when he got home from work. h. Incorrect-->He could fix the tire when he got home from work. i. Was Darryl able to fix the flat tire when he got home?
Negative Sentences Both could and was/were able to can be used in negative sentences of types 1-3 above. There is no change in meaning.
j. He couldn't run the 800 meter race very well. k. He wasn't able to run the 800 meter race very well. l. When we were staying at the hotel on the beach, we were not able to see the sun rise every morning. m. When we were staying at the hotel on the beach, we could not see the sun rise every morning. n. Darryl wasn't able to drive his car yesterday. o. Darryl couldn't drive his car yesterday.
A: Tom was really strong when he was younger. He used to be able to lift 200 pounds. B: That's pretty strong.
ability over a period of time
one action in the past
a repeated action in the past
Nelson could lift a lot of weight too. He lifted weights at home.
ability over a period of time
one action in the past
a repeated action in the past
I wasn't able to get to work on time today because of the traffic.
ability over a period of time
one action in the past
a repeated action in the past
I couldn't call my manager because I didn't have access to a telephone.
ability over a period of time
one action in the past
a repeated action in the past
When George and Brenda lived in Minnesota, George was able to go fishing every day.
ability over a period of time
one action in the past
a repeated action in the past
It was a terrible accident. The driver of the SUV couldn't stop and broadsided the Civic.
ability over a period of time
one action in the past
a repeated action in the past
A: Why wasn't he able to stop? B: The police said he was going too fast.
ability over a period of time
one action in the past
a repeated action in the past
Were you able to understand what the professor was talking about?
ability over a period of time
one action in the past
a repeated action in the past
I didn't understand his main point. Could you understand what he was saying?
ability over a period of time
one action in the past
a repeated action in the past
Fortunately, I was able to get a refund when I took the jeans back.