PAST ABILITIES

To talk about past abilities, we can use:

COULD

Used to talk about general skills or abilities in the past.

When I first started my career, I could work long hours without a break.

They hired her because they knew that she could do the job well.

At this time last year, Santiago couldn’t speak English.

WAS/WERE ABLE TO

Used to talk about specific achievements.

I called our IT help desk and they were able to resolve the issue.

Were you able to get in touch with Gary?

Kathy wasn’t able to get here on time because of the accident on the highway.

(Note that in the negative form, we can use couldn’t and was/were able to. For this example, we could also say “Kathy couldn’t get here on time because of the accident on the highway.”)

MANAGED TO/SUCCEEDED IN 

Used to talk about specific achievements that were difficult.

No one thought she had a chance to win the race but somehow she managed to get enough votes and win the election.

When Carla quit without giving notice it was difficult for us, but we managed to handle everything.

How did they manage to find a suitable candidate for the position in such short time?

PARTICIPLE CLAUSES

A participle clause contains either a present participle, e.g. seeing,a past participle, e.g. seen,or a perfect participle, e.g. having seen.

TIME CLAUSES

A) to replace a time clause to show that an action took place while another was already in progress.

Walking down the street on Saturday, I saw Simon. (replaces As/ When/ While I was walking)

B) to replace a time clause to indicate that the event in the subordinate clause comes immediately before the event in the main clause.

Raising their glasses, they wished Darren a happy birthday.

C) to emphasize that the event in the subordinate clause happened before the event in the main clause.

Having spent my money on a car, I couldn't afford a holiday.

RELATIVE CLAUSES

A) to replace a relative clause when we give more information about a person or thing.

The woman wearing the funny yellow hat is my cousin Jane  (replaces who is wearing)

The plane, last used in World War II, is now a museum exhibit  (replaces which was last used)

REASON/ RESULT

to show that the event in the main clause occurs because of the event in the subordinate clause. It can replace a reason clause.

Not understanding Tom's question, I was unable to give him an answer  (replaces Because / Since I didn't understand)

Very often the event in the main clause is the result of the event in the subordinate clause.

Having spent my money on a car, I couldn't afford a holiday.

CONDITION

to replace a conditional clause

Washed at the wrong temperature, clothes can shrink  (If they are washed at the wrong temperature, clothes can shrink)

NOTE The subject of the participle must also be the subject of the other verb. It is not possible to say Having a bath,the phone rang.

EXERCISES

EXERCISE 1

EXERCISE 2

EXERCISE 3

EXERCISE 4