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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
A question about modal
Hello! 
Please, why can't I replace the underlined part by "could" or "was capable of" ?
e.g. My neighbor was able to unclog the sink.
(answer: no replacement is possible). Why not ???
I am asking this because in another example we have:
e.g.: Henry was capable of climbing the tree. He climbed it.
(replacing the underlined part by another appropriate modal)
"Henry was able to climb the tree".
Thanks a lot!
Sophia
Please, why can't I replace the underlined part by "could" or "was capable of" ?
e.g. My neighbor was able to unclog the sink.
(answer: no replacement is possible). Why not ???
I am asking this because in another example we have:
e.g.: Henry was capable of climbing the tree. He climbed it.
(replacing the underlined part by another appropriate modal)
"Henry was able to climb the tree".
Thanks a lot!
Sophia
Top answer
" My neighbor was able to unclog the sink. My neighbor could unclog the sink. My neighbor was capable of unclog ging the sink.
- " My neighbor was able to unclog the sink.
- My neighbor could unclog the sink.
- My neighbor was capable of unclog ging the sink.
- The only difference is that the "was able to" sounds like it actually happened.
- She had a clog, but she was able to unclog it, in actual fact.
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4 Answers
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Hi Sophia,
Note that in your other example, you also changed "climbing" to "climb."
My neighbor was able to unclog the sink.
My neighbor could unclog the sink.
My neighbor was capable of unclogging the sink.
The only difference is that the "was able to" sounds like it actually happened. She had a clog, but she was able to unclog it, in actual fac
Note that in your other example, you also changed "climbing" to "climb."
My neighbor was able to unclog the sink.
My neighbor could unclog the sink.
My neighbor was capable of unclogging the sink.
The only difference is that the "was able to" sounds like it actually happened. She had a clog, but she was able to unclog it, in actual fac
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AnonymousMy neighbor was able to unclog the sink.My neighbor was able to unclog the sink implies that my neighbor succeeded in unclogging the sink.
(answer: no replacement is possible). Why not ???
Neither My neighbor could unclog the sink
nor My neighbor was capab
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