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Joseph A Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Grammar

Hello everyone,

Could you please tell me if the following explanations are correct?

1. The doctor could treat patients.

This sentence expresses ability in the past because it talks about a general situation.

2. The doctor was able to treat the patient.

In this sentence, "could" can't be used to express ability in the past because the situation is specific not general.

Regards,

JA

  

Top answer

I do not recognise this supposed difference between specific and general situation. You can say "the doctor could treat the patient" just as well as "the doctor could treat patients".

— GPY

  • I do not recognise this supposed difference between specific and general situation.
  • You can say "the doctor could treat the patient" just as well as "the doctor could treat patients".
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3 Answers
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I do not recognise this supposed difference between specific and general situation. You can say "the doctor could treat the patient" just as well as "the doctor could treat patients".

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Your example is perhaps not the best (though it's fine) but yes, there's a difference between the two (if I understand you correctly).


For instance, you could say


I was able to swim to the ship. (Maybe your boat sank and you were able to swim to the ship that was anchored close by )


vs


I could swim to the ship. (e.g there was a ship docked close to

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Joseph ACould you please tell me if the following explanations are correct?

I am not familiar with any explanations of "could" which contain the idea of "general" and "specific".

Each of your sentences has multiple meanings depending on context.

Joseph A1. The doctor could treat patients.

a) The doctor had t

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