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Could, Be Able To

The document provides a table outlining ways to express ability and inability in the past tense in English. It distinguishes between general ability ("could", "was/were able to"), specific achievement ("managed to"), and lack of ability ("couldn't", "wasn't/weren't able to"). The document then provides exercises for learners to practice using these past tense constructions to talk about what people were and were not able to do in the past.

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Johana Wulandari
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515 views2 pages

Could, Be Able To

The document provides a table outlining ways to express ability and inability in the past tense in English. It distinguishes between general ability ("could", "was/were able to"), specific achievement ("managed to"), and lack of ability ("couldn't", "wasn't/weren't able to"). The document then provides exercises for learners to practice using these past tense constructions to talk about what people were and were not able to do in the past.

Uploaded by

Johana Wulandari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ABILITY IN THE PAST: COULD, WAS/WERE BE ABLE TO, MANAGED TO

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/past-ability-could-was-able-to-managed-to/
5139503.html

Study this table:

ABILITY NON/ LACK OF ABILITY


GENERAL ABILITY could couldn’t
was/ were able to wasn’t/ weren’t able to
SPECIFIC ACHIEVEMENT ---- couldn’t
managed to didn’t manage to

Note : We use ‘managed to’ for things we were able to do but with some difficulty.

A. Underline the correct words.

1. I could / was able to find my way because I had a good map.

2. Did you manage to / Could you book a table for us yesterday?

3. I’m afraid I managed to / couldn’t understand what you just said.

4. I couldn’t / haven’t been able to swim since I got an ear infection.

5. Debbie was able to / could call me yesterday on her new mobile phone.

B. Complete the sentences using ‘could, was or were able to’. The sentences with (+) are
positive, and those with (–) are negative. There may be more than one correct answer.

1. We ………………… finish all the food without any problem! (+)

2. We ………………… find any fish at the market today. (–)

3. I ……… never ………………… hold my breath under water. (+)

4. Ben ………… play tennis very well by the age of ten. (+)

5. Our neighbours …………… baby sit for us yesterday. (+)


6. Maria ………… go out yesterday because she didn’t have any money. (–)

7. Jackie …………… drive us all to the beach yesterday. (+)

C. Complete the sentences with (to) be able to or being able to.

1. I enjoy …………………… relax on a Friday night.

2. I remember …………………… tie my shoelaces for the first time.

3. I’d like ……………… help you.

4. Paul likes ………………… buy CDs whenever he wants.

5. It’s important ……………… take time off regularly.

D. Right or wrong? Correct the wrong sentences.

1. I didn’t managed to get any bread on the way home.

……………..………………………………….… .

2. I’ll never manage to finish in time.

…………………………………………………... .

3. We couldn’t understand Bob because he spoke so quickly.

…………………………………………………... .

4. Luke could fix my car when I asked him.

…………………………………………………... .

5. Nicola managed to get to the top of the hill without any difficulty.

…………………………………………………... .

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