can vs be able to

pash · Sep 28, 2006

Which would you prefer to use/see in the gap below, "could" or "were able to"?

"It was hard adjusting to our new environment when we first moved to the mountains. The winters were long and very cold. But, come spring, we _______ walk up to the peaks, watch the melting snow and breathe fresh alpine air, which compensated us no end."

TheIT · Sep 28, 2006

Past tense, so "could" or "were able to". "Can" isn't a valid option.

pash · Sep 28, 2006

TheIT said:
Past tense, so "could" or "were able to". "Can" isn't a valid option.

Sorry, I was giving the base forms of each and hoping that readers would know I meant to use the past forms in the actual text. So, which would you use/prefer? "Could" or "were able to"?

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 28, 2006

I prefer could. Why use three words when one will do?

Kentuk · Sep 28, 2006

If I had to chose
I could
if was able not to
I wouldn't
works better
without

bryllynt · Sep 29, 2006

Another vote for "could" here. "Were able to" reads like a comment on the speaker's physical ability, imo.

bryllynt

pash · Sep 29, 2006

bryllynt said:
Another vote for "could" here. "Were able to" reads like a comment on the speaker's physical ability, imo.

bryllynt

Or the fact that the snow was no longer a barrier to their climbs.

pash · Sep 29, 2006

Shadow_Ferret said:
I prefer could. Why use three words when one will do?

Would you use "could" here?

He'd bought the tickets in secret and so we were able to go to the concert after all.
............

I met another Brit in a small downtown bar. I was so happy that I could speak English all night.

K1P1 · Sep 29, 2006

pash said:
Would you use "could" here?

He'd bought the tickets in secret and so we were able to go to the concert after all.
............

I met another Brit in a small downtown bar. I was so happy that I could speak English all night.

Yes. "Could" would be less formal so would be more appropriate for spoken English or informal writing. "Were able to" is more formal, so it would just be a question of style.

bryllynt · Sep 29, 2006

pash said:
Or the fact that the snow was no longer a barrier to their climbs.

Yes, I get this. Just offering my opinion. Good luck.

bryllynt

pash · Sep 29, 2006

K1P1 said:
Yes. "Could" would be less formal so would be more appropriate for spoken English or informal writing. "Were able to" is more formal, so it would just be a question of style.

I'd never thought about formality in such a context. Thanks for that push.

pash · Sep 29, 2006

bryllynt said:
Yes, I get this. Just offering my opinion. Good luck.

bryllynt

And to you. Thanks also for the help.

can vs be able to

pash

TheIT

Infuriatingly Theoretical

pash

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

Kentuk

I want to write what I want to write

bryllynt

pash

pash

K1P1

Procrastination is its own reward

bryllynt

pash

pash