WAS / WERE ABLE TO vs. COULD

WAS / WERE ABLE TO - to manage to do something in one particular situation

COULD – had the general ability to do something (state)

The negative COULDN’T is possible in both situations

Remember! verbs : SEE, HEAR, FEEL, UNDERSTAND, REMEMBER, TASTE - always go with COULD

Complete the sentences with was/were able to or could

1. My grandpa was very clever. He ___________________ speak five languages.

2. The fire spread quickly, but everyone ___________________ escape.

3. He hurt his leg, so he ___________________(not walk) very well.

4. She wasn’t at home when I called but I ___________________ contact her at her office.

5. My grandmother loved music. She ___________________ play the piano very well.

6. They boy fell into the river, but fortunately we ___________________ rescue him.

7. I ___________________ swim when I was 4.

8. He tried very hard but he ___________________ swim back to the boat .

9. We ___________________ put out the fire before much damage was done.

10. My daughter ___________________ walk when she was only 11 months old.

11. I ___________________ finish all the work you wanted me to do yesterday.

12. You were talking quite loudly. I ___________________ hear you.

13. How was the test? Easy, all the students ___________________ pass it.

14. He ___________________ repair the car but it took him a lot of time.

15. We wanted to go to the opera but we ___________________ get tickets.

16. Fortunately, I ___________________ get his address from his office.

17. I don’t know how the cat ___________________ get through the window, but he did.

18. After the accident she somehow ___________________ walk home.

19. After several hours fire fighters ___________________ put out the fire.

20. Jan gave me a lift home so I ___________________ stay at the party till late.

21. he had a motorbike accident at the age of 18 and after that he ___________________ walk.

22. I ___________________ sleep very well for the last four nights. It has been too hot.

23. Jonathan ___________________( not say )anything until he was about three years old.

24. I ___________________ play tennis really well a few years ago, but not anymore.

25. 'When I was a child, I ___________________ see much better, but now I wear glasses.