Past Ability Modals

🧠 Past Ability Modals

Could, Was Able To, Managed To

📌 Use could, was/were able to, and managed to to describe different types of past ability. – Utilisez could, was/were able to et managed to pour décrire différents types de capacité passée.

Look at these examples to see how could, was able to and managed to are used.

I could play the guitar when I was seven years old.

→ Je savais jouer de la guitare quand j’avais sept ans.

The police weren’t able to catch the speeding car.

→ La police n’a pas pu attraper la voiture qui roulait à toute vitesse.

The bird managed to escape from its cage and fly away.

→ L’oiseau a réussi à s’échapper de sa cage et à s’envoler.

Do you know how to use could, was able to and managed to to talk about past abilities? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.