How to Use COULD and WAS ABLE TO (English Grammar) With Example Sentences

0:00 INTRO
In this video, we are going to have a look at how to use COULD and how to use WAS ABLE TO.

0:23 COULD (GENERAL ABILITIES IN THE PAST)
In positive sentences, we use could to talk about general abilities in the past.
I could run really fast when I was younger.
"Run really fast" is a general ability.
0:54 WAS ABLE TO
In positive sentences, we use was able to to talk about specific achievements, in the past.
For example,
Only one student was able to pass the English exam.
In this situation, passing the English exam is specific achievement.
1:26 REVIEW
We use could for general abilities and was able to for specific achievements.
1:40 MORE EXAMPLES
My grandmother could speak 6 languages.
I was able to catch my train because I ran.
I could fall asleep no problem when I was a kid, but now I can’t.
I was able to sleep the entire flight.
2:32 COULD (SEE, HEAR, SMELLL, TASTE, REMEMBER AND UNDERSTAND)
I could see Mt. Fuji from my hotel window.
We couldn’t see the cafe yet, but we could smell the coffee.
I could remember all of my friend’s phone numbers when I was a kid.
3:30 NEGATIVE SENTENCES
For negative sentences, COULD or WAS ABLE TO can always be used.
I was able to sleep the entire flight, but my wife could’t sleep at all.
-or- but my wife wasn’t able to sleep at all.
I hurt my ankle, so I couldn’t play basketball.
I hurt my ankle, so I wasn’t able to play basketball.

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