LESSON
GRAMMAR
Past ability
STUDY
Past ability with
be able to
and
could
Subject
be
(
not
)
able to
Base Form of Verb
Biata
was not able to open
the file.
Was
she
able to help
you?
Yes, she was. / No, she wasn’t.
Were
you
able to fix
it?
Yes, I was. / No, I wasn’t.
Subject
could
(
not
) Base Form of Verb
I
could not
see
the icon.
Could
you
finish
everything?
Yes, I could. / No, I couldn’t.
Use
was
/
were able to
or
could
for past ability. Do not use
could
in affirmative
statements for a single event in the past. You can use
couldn’t
for single past events.
Grammar Note
PRACTICE
A
Complete the sentences with
could
or the correct past form of
be able to
.
Use affirmative or negative forms.
1.
Victor
be able to
use the new database. He didn’t have any trouble.
2.
Finally, we
be able to
enter the information. It took a long time!
3.
Biata
be able to
finish the reports. She didn’t have time.
4.
Jimmy
could
take a break. He was too busy.
B
Complete the conversations with
could
or the correct past form of
be able to
and the
verb. More than one answer may be possible.
Ida:
1. enter
all of the patient information?
Biata:
No. I
2. finish
. I’ll ask Layla to help.
Ida:
And
3. call
the insurance companies?
Biata:
Yes, I
4. call
all of them.
PAIRS
What can you do now that you couldn’t do in the past?
be able to
: Statements
Yes/No
Questions
Short Answers
could
: Statements
Yes/No
Questions
Short Answers
was able to
Were you able to enter
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
5
UNIT 2
25
