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 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 watch the match because she was working.
It’s not possible yet, but I think AI _____ do the housework for us in a few years.
It’s not possible yet, but I think AI 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 am always tired in the morning. (perfect)
I've not been able to sleep very well recently. I am always tired in the morning.
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.
Someone broke the lock on the gate and a few cows ______ escape.
Someone broke the lock on the gate and a few cows 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 we visited Africa last year, I _______ go on a safari.
When we visited Africa last year, I was able to go on a safari.
The smoke was so thick that he _______ see the exit.
The smoke was so thick that he couldn't/wasn't able to/ didn't manage to see the exit.
Ask the manager, he should ______ help you.
Ask the manager, 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 was sick all week but by Saturday he _____ get back in the game.
Peter was sick all week but by Saturday he was able to get back in the game.
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 the problem for months but they ______ find a solution.
They worked on the problem for months but they didn't manage to/ couldn't/ weren't able to find a solution.
I ______ focus at work recently. I don't know what the problem is. (perfect)
I haven't been able to focus at work recently. I don't know what the problem is.