Could vs Was able to - English In A Minute

What’s the difference between ‘could’ and ‘was able to’ to talk about past ability? Let Phil explain in this English In A Minute - our 60 second free English class.

Test yourself! Which is correct
a) I could win a medal when I was younger.
b) I was able to win a medal when I was younger.

Visit our website for the transcript, a summary and more quizzes:

Please use English when you comment.

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[bbclearningenglish]

The correct answer to today's question is B. We use 'was able to' when we are referring to a specific thing that we achieved. Well done if you got the right answer.

[raamak]

It is really hard to understand the difference between specific and general occasions, but I tried to form some sentences:
1. I could play cards with my grandpa when I was a child.
2. I was able to run away from my aunt when she tried to lock me in a room.
3. I could feel how much love my grandparents gave me.
4. I was able to buy a phone when I finished that job.
5. I could get on with my brother, but not with my sister.

[okarapancake]

Thanks for the video! Now I choose could or was able to depending on the situation
e.g.) I could run fast when I was a kid (general)
I could feel the wind in my face (sense)
I was able to get along with him (specific achievement)

[tammytsang]

When I was in primary school in Hong Kong, I was not able to understand native speakers. Once I started Form One in Hong Kong, I could understand my native -speaking teacher within a few months.

[lauracastaneda]

I agree that for specific achievements we do use "was/were able to" or "manage" yet, I've read and seen you can use "was/were able to" for general past abilities in affirmative statements like could. Hence:
1.When I was four, I could read OR When I was four, I was able to read.

Haven't you seen that? 😢

[sally]

Quiet hard to figure out what situation is general and specific for me
But its good to know
Thank you!!

[Maandeeq]

The best place to learing english❤ BBC learing English

[youngs]

Gosh.. could vs able to is very confusing.. but I will try and this video helps a lot. Thank you!

[claudiajurisch]

Brillant!!!short and effektiv. Very helpfull. Thank you, love it

[Frankusek]

what about questions? do we use both or it follows the same from negative?

[ashokprajapati]

I could top in the class when I was younger.

[breeze]

Thanks for the video i really needed it because i have an exam tomorrow !!

[leenametilda]

Superb. I could understand very well. Tks.

[Meriemfarida]

We use "could" with verbs of senses and thought. Is it the same thing with the negative form? E.g. can I say: I wasn't able to feel the wind in my face.

[WilliamG-iooh]

I could feel sad by my pronunciacion in English but I was able to learn and BBC learning English helped me

[Meriemfarida]

Please correct me if I'm wrong. I think we can use both (could or was able to) with general ability.

[danielduarte]

Nice, clearer than your "6 minutes could/was able to/managed to" video

[laxbold]

I love the English minute videos but this was really fast video guys.

[euryndespradelmejialiriano]

Please, I need to know the difference between after vs afterwards

[sangeethanambiar]

I have a doubt.... when do we use the word "were" with "I"? Like we use to say like " if i were u "... also we see like " i was asked how this " was" and " were" are used with "I"??