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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Wasn't able to vs. couldn't

Hello,

Thank you in advance.

1. Can 'wasn't able to' and 'couldn't be used interchangeable?
2. If not, when do we use one over the other?
3. How are these sentences different from each other?

I wasn't able to get his approval.
I couldn't get his approval.
  

Top answer

To me, they are interchangable. I use both expressions, perhaps slightly favoring the first. All the best!

— AlpheccaStars

  • To me, they are interchangable.
  • I use both expressions, perhaps slightly favoring the first.
  • All the best!
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9 Answers
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To me, they are interchangable. I use both expressions, perhaps slightly favoring the first.

All the best!
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AnonymousCan 'wasn't able to' and 'couldn't' be used interchangeably?
Yes. (It's the affirmative versions that are not interchangeable.)

CJ
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Thank you, CJ and AlpheccaStars. I really appreciate it.

Just an additional question, how are the affirmative versions different in their usage?
Please give examples of 'was able to' vs 'could'. Thank you.
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AnonymousPlease give examples of 'was able to' vs 'could'.
We ran fast and could catch the bus. - Wrong. could cannot be used to mean succeeded.
We ran fast and were able to catch the bus. - This is the correct way to express success in the past.

CJ
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AnonymousHello,Thank you in advance.1. Can 'wasn't able to' and 'couldn't be used interchangeable?2. If not, when do we use one over the other?3. How are these sentences different from each other?I wasn't able to get his approval.I couldn't get his approval.
For the most part, I would say they are interchangeable. However, I can think of one possibility.
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CalifJimWe ran fast and could catch the bus. - Wrong. could cannot be used to mean succeeded.
We ran fast and were able to catch the bus. - This is the correct way to express success in the past.
Thank you for the examples. I now understand the difference.
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AnonymousFor the most part, I would say they are interchangeable. However, I can think of one possibility.

I was not able to get his approval. -- This implies that there was an unsuccessful attempt.
I could not get his approval. -- This does not necessarily imply any attempt.

For example you can say, "I could not get his approval even if I tried" b
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Could or was/were able to are used to talk about a general ability in the past.
Could cannot be used if the past ability refers to what really happened in one particular situation. In such case, was/were able or managed is used. If, however, the sentence is negative, we can use could.
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I would say they are totally interchangeable. The first one sounds more formal to me, but generally they are both possible.
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