COULD & BE ABLE TO COULD * “Could” khứ “can” Chúng ta dùng "could" đặc biệt với động từ tri giác (see, hear, smell, taste, feel, remember, understand,…) * VD: - When we went into the house,we could smell burning (Khi vào nhà, chúng tơi ngửi mùi cháy.) - She spoke in a very low voice, but I could understand what she said (Cô nói giọng trầm, tơi hiểu nói gì.) COULD * Chúng ta dùng “could” để diễn tả có khả hay phép làm điều * VD: - My grandfather could speak five languages (Ơng tơi nói thứ tiếng.) - She could play piano very well (Cơ chơi đàn giỏi.) BE ABLE TO * Dùng để diễn tả khả đạt qua nỗ lực, cố gắng (= manage to) * Thường không dùng với động từ tri giác (see, hear, smell, watch,…) * VD: - players at the final match are very good but David was able to win (2 người chơi trận chung kết giỏi David giành chiến thắng.) - They didn't want to come with us at first but were able to persuade them (Lúc đầu họ không muốn đến sau chúng tơi thuyết phục họ.) Exercises Complete the sentences, using could, couldn’t or was/were (not) able to: 1. Could you hear the fireworks from your house last night? Theywere save the men from the sinking ship able to I wanted to buy some potatoes The shop near my house didn’t havewas anyable but Ito get some in the next shop I had forgotten to bring my camera so I _ take any couldn’t photographs I looked everywhere for the book butcouldn’t I _ find it I _ couldn’tspeak to him on the phone for three weeks last could month was four ablemonths to Dennis play the trumpet after Sue wasn’t at home when I phoned but I _ contact her could at her office Last week we go swimming, couldn’t this week we can’t 10 Laura had hurt her leg and walk very well