In the present tense we use ‘can’ to talk about a general ability – e.g. I can swim – and also for ability at a particular moment – e.g. I can see you! The rules for talking about past abilities are different.
現(xiàn)在時(shí)態(tài)里，我們用can去談?wù)撘话愕哪芰Γ鏘 can swim。還有形容在一個(gè)特定的時(shí)間的一種能力，例如I can see you!但談?wù)撨^(guò)去的能力是不同的。
General ability 一般的能力
We use could to talk about general abilities in the past.
我們用could談?wù)撨^(guò)去一般的能力。
? He could speak fluent French when he was 5.
? I could read before I started school.
Ability on one occasion 某個(gè)場(chǎng)合的能力
However, when we talk about ability on one particular occasion, we can’t use could
但是，當(dāng)我們談?wù)撃硞€(gè)特定場(chǎng)合下的能力，我們不能用could。
? The burglar was able to get in through the bathroom window.
? The burglar managed to get in through the bathroom window.
We have to use was able to or managed to. We can’t use could.
我們必須用was able to 或者managed to，我們不能用could。
? The burglar could get in through the bathroom window.
Ability on one occasion – negative 某個(gè)場(chǎng)合的能力—否定式
When we talk about a particular occasion when something wasn’t possible, we can use wasn’t/weren’t able to, didn’t manage to, or couldn’t
當(dāng)我們談?wù)撃硞€(gè)特定場(chǎng)合不能做某事的能力時(shí)，我們用wasn’t /weren’t able to, didn’t manage to, 或是couldn’t
? The burglar wasn’t able to get in through the window.
? The burglar didn’t manage to get in through the window.
? The burglar couldn’t get in through the window.
Hypothetical past ability 假設(shè)的過(guò)去的能力
Sometimes things were possible in the past but didn’t happen.
有時(shí)候，我們要描述在過(guò)去可能會(huì)發(fā)生但是沒(méi)有發(fā)生的事情。
? I could have gone to university but I decided to get a job.
? I would have been able to win the race but I fell over.
We use could have (+ past participle) or would have been able to to talk about these hypothetical events. They can be used in the positive and the negative.
我們用could have (+ 過(guò)去分詞) or would have been able to 來(lái)談?wù)撨@些假設(shè)會(huì)發(fā)生的事件。他們可以是肯定式，也可以是否定式。
? I couldn’t have done it without your help.
? I wouldn’t have been able to afford it even if it had been for sale.
