General ability
I __________ go to the party last night because I was sick.
I couldn't/ wasn't able to go to the party last night because I
I _______ contact him, last night.
I was able to contact him last night.
You _______ smell the smoke for days after the fire.
You could/were able to smell the smoke for days after the fire.
She ______ watch the match because she was working.
She couldn't/wasn't able to/ didn't manage to watch the match because she was working.
It’s not possible yet, but I think computers _____ do the housework for us in a few years.
It’s not possible yet, but I think computers will be able to do the housework for us in a few years.
Sophia ___________ ride a bicycle. She rides it to school every day.
Sophia can/ is able to ride a bicycle. She rides it to school every day.
When she was young, my aunt ______ run for miles.
When she was young, my aunt could/was able to run for miles.
The man in front of me fell down. He was heavy but somehow I ________ help him stand up.
The man in front of me fell down. He was heavy but somehow I managed to help him stand up.
We tried to break the doors down, but we _______ do it.
We tried to break the doors down, but we couldn't/weren't able to/ didn't manage to do it.
I ________ sleep very well recently.
I've not been able to sleep very well recently.
I'm very tired, so I ___________ go out to the park to play. I'm sorry.
I'm very tired, so I can't/ am not able to go out to the park to play. I'm sorry.
The bicycle chain broke but luckily I _______ repair it.
The bicycle chain broke but luckily I was able to repair it.
Then someone broke the lock on the doors of the other side and a few fans ______ escape.
Then someone broke the lock on the doors of the other side and a few fans managed to escape.
The speaker _______ attend the conference due to illness.
The speaker couldn't/wasn't able to/ didn't manage to attend the conference due to illness.
I'm sorry I won't ______ come.
I'm sorry I won't be able to come.
Most dinosaurs walked on land, but some _______ fly or even swim.
Most dinosaurs walked on land, but some could/were able to fly or even swim.
The fire was spreading but he _______ get out of the burning building.
The fire was spreading but he was able to get out of the burning building.
When I lived next to the pool, I _______ go swimming every day.
When I lived next to the pool, I could/was able to go swimming every day.
The smoke was so thick that you _______ breathe.
The smoke was so thick that you couldn't/weren't able to/ didn't manage to breathe.
Ask him, he should ______ help you.
Ask him, he should be able to help you.
David hit the tree because he ____ stop his car. The brakes weren't working.
David hit the tree because he couldn't/ wasn't able to stop his car. The brakes weren't working.
Peter had flu all week but on Saturday he _____ play in the match.
eter had flu all week but on Saturday he was able to play in the match.
The burglar _______ get in through the bathroom window even though it was locked.
The burglar managed to get in through the bathroom window even though it was locked.
They worked on it for months but they ______ find a solution.
They worked on it for months but they didn't manage to/ couldn't/ weren't able to find a solution.
I ______ concentrate recently at work. I don't know what it is.
I haven't been able to concentrate recently at work. I don't know what it is.