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7.4 Expressing Ability: Past

Could Was Able To
| could ski when | was 12, but | couldn’t ski when | was able to go on the tour last week, but my
Iwas 8. friends weren't able to join me.

1. Could and was able to refer to general My dad could always fix broken toys.
ability in the past. My dad was always able to fix broken toys.

2. Could is used more frequently than was/ Informal: The kids could ski when they were
were able to. Was/Were able fo is more four.
formal. Formal: The child was able to read by age four.

3.Use was/were able fo (not could) to talk / | was able to fix the clock when it stopped.
about ability at one time in the past. In the X | could fix the clock when it stopped.
negative, use either couldn’t or wasn’t/ v¥ | couldn't fix the clock when it stopped.
weren't able to. /¥ | wasn’t able to fix the clock when it stopped.

4. With verbs of perception (see, hear, We were at the back of the theater, but we
understand, remember), you can use could could hear everything.
or was/were able fo to talk about ability at a He was able to see clearly from the front row.
time in the past.

5 Complete the paragraphs. Write the affirmative or negative forms of could, was able fo, or
were able to as appropriate. If two forms are correct, write both.

We drove up and down the narrow streets of Cerbére, but we

(1) couldn't/weren't able to_ finda parking space. After driving around for 20 minutes,
I finally (2) find a space, but it was tiny. I’m not good

at parking, so I (3) get into the space. My friend had to get out of
the car to direct me. Then, I (4) park the car.

We had to walk a long way to the hotel and carry our bags. On my last hiking trip,

1(5) carry my backpack without difficulty. But this time, I had
packed too much stuff, and the bags were heavy. It was very hot, too. When we saw that we were

lost, we stopped and asked a woman for directions. My friend (6)

speak a little French, so he (7) understand her directions. I (8)

understand anything. Believe me, we were very glad when we

finally got to the hotel.

Vv Cerbére, France

UNIT=7~ LESSON 2