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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Modal "could" to denote one-time sucess
Hi,
I think we can't use the modal "could" to denote one-time success like this:
Two years ago, I could lift this weight very easily.
But I think we can use the phrase "was able to" to say it.
Two years ago, I was able to lift this weight easily.
And it is known to me that "could" could be used to denote a past failure like this:
Two years ago, I couldn't lift this weight easily.
Also, I think we can use the phrase "was able to" to say it in addition to "could":
Two years ago, I was able to lift this weight easily.
I think we can't use the modal "could" to denote one-time success like this:
Two years ago, I could lift this weight very easily.
But I think we can use the phrase "was able to" to say it.
Two years ago, I was able to lift this weight easily.
And it is known to me that "could" could be used to denote a past failure like this:
Two years ago, I couldn't lift this weight easily.
Also, I think we can use the phrase "was able to" to say it in addition to "could":
Two years ago, I was able to lift this weight easily.
Top answer
Anonymous I think we can't use the modal "could" to denote one-time success like this Actually, we can. Anonymous Two years ago, I could lift this weight very easily. This is a correct sentence.
- Anonymous I think we can't use the modal "could" to denote one-time success like this Actually, we can.
- Anonymous Two years ago, I could lift this weight very easily.
- This is a correct sentence.
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4 Answers
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AnonymousI think we can't use the modal "could" to denote one-time success like thisActually, we can.
AnonymousTwo years ago, I could lift this weight very easily.This is a correct sentence.
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All of your examples are correct!
Howover - use of "couldn't" and "couldn't" is much more conversational.
At least from a North American point of view!
Cheers,
Nick
Howover - use of "couldn't" and "couldn't" is much more conversational.
At least from a North American point of view!
Cheers,
Nick
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AnonymousI think we can't use the modal "could" to denote one-time success like this:Right. We would immediately interpret this sentence as expressing a continuing state of ability. You can add whenever I wanted to without contradiction.
Two years ago, I could lift this weight very easily.
CJ
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Hi, thank you. What do you say about this?
After I wrote this, I found out that I made a typo. The correct version is in parentheses in the last rwo sentences.
And it is known to me that "could" could be used to denote a past failure like this:
Two years ago, I couldn't lift this weight easily.
Also, I think we can use the phrase "was (was not) able t
After I wrote this, I found out that I made a typo. The correct version is in parentheses in the last rwo sentences.
And it is known to me that "could" could be used to denote a past failure like this:
Two years ago, I couldn't lift this weight easily.
Also, I think we can use the phrase "was (was not) able t
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