B1 · Lesson 12 · 20 min
Ability and achievement in the past
In this lesson
- I can use could for general ability in the past.
- I can describe a successful action in one past situation with was able to or managed to.
Grammar in context
Last winter, Priya and her neighbours were stuck at a railway station after heavy snow. Priya could speak some Italian because she had studied it at school. She managed to explain the problem to a station worker, and the group found a hotel for the night.
Which phrase describes Priya's general skill, and which phrase describes one successful action?
General ability: could
Use could + base verb for an ability someone had over a period in the past. It usually describes a general skill rather than one particular successful action. The negative is couldn't. In questions, put could before the subject: Could you swim when you were six?
- When I was twelve, I could ride a bike without hands.
- My grandfather couldn't use a smartphone at first.
One successful action
For a positive achievement in one specific past situation, use was/were able to + base verb or managed to + base verb. These forms show that someone succeeded, often after difficulty. Managed to often suggests effort or a problem.
- After three calls, Leo was able to book a table for eight.
- We managed to catch the last bus home.
Seeing and hearing
With verbs of perception, could is natural even for one particular occasion. Use could see, could hear, could smell, could taste or could feel when the sense was possible at that moment. This is an important exception to the usual achievement pattern.
- From the balcony, I could see the fireworks clearly.
- Even above the music, Hana could hear her phone ringing.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
Yesterday, I could to find my passport after an hour.
Use
Yesterday, I managed to find my passport after an hour.
For one successful action, managed to shows the achievement clearly; could is followed directly by a base verb, not to + verb.
Avoid
At school, Ben could to swim very well.
Use
At school, Ben could swim very well.
Could describes Ben's general past ability and is followed directly by the base verb swim.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.