There are some of you who are very experienced with computers, and some who are just learning to use them. I thought everyone did a good job with the website" English Club"today. However, I think I should have done the tutorial with you about the phrase "was able to". One student drove me crazy with the question, What is the difference between "could" and "was able to"? For example: The man could walk with a cane. The man was able to walk with a cane. There is no difference in meaning. If you were to ask me how I would say it, I think I would choose The man was able to walk with a cane. I don't know why I would choose the second one. Maybe it is because we are talking about physical ability. I think it is because I have heard it said the second way more than the first. Maybe there is another answer, but I don't know it right now. I will ask the opinion of all of our blogger members. What do all of you think?
I am getting sick of modal auxilliaries. Let's leave them for awhile and come back to them later. We are about half way through the school year. Some of you have been with me since last September, and a few of you joined the class in November. Tomorrow I will give you the VERB TENSE TEST. This consists of 20 sentences where you have to write in the correct verb tense. The test has every tense in the English language. I will be anxious to find out what you don't know. Then I will know what to teach or reteach you. (If you are not here tomorrow, the school police will come to get you!)
Lilia,
ReplyDeleteYou think "could" means to try?? No, "could" means that "having the ability to". Usually we use "can" with a present tense verb and "could" with a past tense verb. Something like this: I CAN play the harmonica.-------When I WAS a child, I COULD play the harmonica.(This second sentence gives the idea that I cannot play the harmonica anymore.)
Vilma,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Could you please ask me that question tomorrow? By the way, have you met the lady from Honduras in Level 2?