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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > could or was able to
could or was able to
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Miri75
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could or was able to
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Hi nice people,
Could you tell me which sentence is correct?
A ) HE HAD HURT HIS LEG, SO HE WASN �T ABLE TO WALK VERY WELL
B) HE HAD HURT HIS LEG, SO HE COULDN �T WALK VERY WELL
I saw both of them are correct in "English Grammar in use"(CUP).Do you agree ?
Could you explain the difference?
Thanks in advance
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15 Aug 2009
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Kate (kkcat)
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Hello,
Well, I think in this case A is correct because I have read about this one aspect: be able to - means physical ability or the ability to do something at the particular time or in a particular situation.
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15 Aug 2009
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karitadeangel
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BOTH sentences are OK! In the negative you have no problem. You can use wasn �t able to and couldn �t in the same way. there �s no difference.
The problem is when you use them in the affirmative.
COULD refers to an ability in the past: When I was six I could touch my feet with my hands (I can �t do it any more).
You can only use COULD in the past for ONE OCCASION when you use it with VERBS OF PERCEPTION (see, smell, hear, etc.): when I got to the house and I could smell something burning.
In those cases when you can �t use COULD (that is to say, when you are talking about a particular situation in the past and you are not referring to the senses) you use BE ABLE TO:
After studying so hard, I was finally able to pass the make up exam. (NOT I could pass the make up exam)
HOPE IT HELPS!!!! Anyway I �m sure you �ll find this in a grammar book in the part of modals that refer to ability.
=)
Karina
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15 Aug 2009
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reeta1
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They �re both right. Couldn �t means being not physically being able to do something. |
15 Aug 2009
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zailda
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They can be used interchangeably:
I couldn �t swim when I was 10.
I wasn �t able to swim when I was 10.
When referring to a particular time / situation we use be able to instead of can / could:
He had hurt his leg, so he wasn �t able to walk very well.
When the teacher asked me about it yesterday, I wasn �t able to answer.
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16 Aug 2009
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