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Velimir Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
could have done or were able
Hello everyone,
I wonder whether both of the below sentences are correct and expres the same meaning:
We could have done it either way.
We were able to do it either way .
Or the first sentence can only express possibility and not ability to do something ?
Thank you for your help
I wonder whether both of the below sentences are correct and expres the same meaning:
We could have done it either way.
We were able to do it either way .
Or the first sentence can only express possibility and not ability to do something ?
Thank you for your help
Top answer
Hello Velimir, Grammar buffs will tell you that there are occasions where the two are not interchangeable. The one I remember particularly is where you are describing an incident. The fire was raging but I couldn't open the door.
- Hello Velimir, Grammar buffs will tell you that there are occasions where the two are not interchangeable.
- The one I remember particularly is where you are describing an incident.
- The fire was raging but I couldn't open the door.
- Some people say that The fire was raging but I wasn't able to open the door is incorrect.
- I think I'd say it was unusual and therefore not sanctioned by usage and to be avoided.
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27 Answers
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Hello Velimir,
Grammar buffs will tell you that there are occasions where the two are not interchangeable. The one I remember particularly is where you are describing an incident.
The fire was raging but I couldn't open the door. Some people say that The fire was raging but I wasn't able to open the door is incorrect. I think I'd say it was unusual and therefore not sanctione
Grammar buffs will tell you that there are occasions where the two are not interchangeable. The one I remember particularly is where you are describing an incident.
The fire was raging but I couldn't open the door. Some people say that The fire was raging but I wasn't able to open the door is incorrect. I think I'd say it was unusual and therefore not sanctione
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VelimirWe could have done it either way.1. We had the choice of doing it either way.
2. It is possible that we did it either way. (I don't remember which way we did it.)
3. We had the skill (ability, talent) to do it either way. (Nothing said about whether we actually did it.)
VelimirWe were able to do it either way .
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Thank you very much for your answers Thomas Thompion and CalifJim,
Those ambiguities are exactly the problem for me, specially in regard to expressing "past ability". In many situations I can't easily decide what "could" or "could have" really mean : "able", "possible" or "optional".
I most often understand "could have + verb" as "quite possible action which didn't happen"
Those ambiguities are exactly the problem for me, specially in regard to expressing "past ability". In many situations I can't easily decide what "could" or "could have" really mean : "able", "possible" or "optional".
I most often understand "could have + verb" as "quite possible action which didn't happen"
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Thank you for your answer Clive
CliveHi,Have I understood well that the s
I was able to open it with a fork as well. Sounds like you are saying that a knife was not sufficient, and you had to use a fork as well. In oter words, it sounds like you actually did it.
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Hi,
The 'as well' sounds like you opened it with a fork in addition to a knife. ie you used both.
If you did not actually open it, I'd say'I could have . . . ' or 'I would have been able to . . . '.
Clive
The 'as well' sounds like you opened it with a fork in addition to a knife. ie you used both.
If you did not actually open it, I'd say'I could have . . . ' or 'I would have been able to . . . '.
Clive
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VelimirThank you very much for your answers Thomas Thompion and CalifJim,
Those ambiguities are exactly the problem for me, specially in regard to expressing "past ability". In many situations I can't easily decide what "could" or "could have" really mean : "able", "possible" or "optional". I'm not really sure of the distinction you are making here, Velimir.
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Hello Thomas Thompion,
Many thanks for your thorough answer, it is really informative and will help me a lot in understanding this issue. The format you've chosen is not of much importance for me honestly though it seems that the way you did it in your last post is most convenient for both instructor and a learner when the post is lengthy.I will need time to think over the points you've
Many thanks for your thorough answer, it is really informative and will help me a lot in understanding this issue. The format you've chosen is not of much importance for me honestly though it seems that the way you did it in your last post is most convenient for both instructor and a learner when the post is lengthy.I will need time to think over the points you've
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For example,not having a can opener, I've just opened a can of tuna fish with a knife and I'm kind of joking with my friend :
I could have opened it with a fork as well. Sounds fine within the situation you describe above. The possibility of opening it with a fork was open to me at the time (but I didn't make use of that opportunity, obviously, because I already o
I could have opened it with a fork as well. Sounds fine within the situation you describe above. The possibility of opening it with a fork was open to me at the time (but I didn't make use of that opportunity, obviously, because I already o
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