- Although we didn’t win, we were able to take some. - Valuables can / are able to be left in the hotel safe. - We could / were able to finish the football match before it started snowing too heavy.. - The rebels could / were able to draw on the support of over 20,000 soldiers.. - Could you / Were you able to understand Professor Larsen's lecture? I found it really difficult.. - 'Do you want a game?' 'Sorry, I can't / 'm not able to play chess.. - Look at me, I can / 'm able to ride my bike without any help.. - When the fire officers arrived they could / were able to put out the flames in a couple of minutes.. - The air was so polluted in the city center, I could hardly / was hardly able to breathe.. - I could / was able to smell the cigarettes when I came into the room.. - Can you / Are you able to drive without your glasses?. - No changes can / are able to be made to this rail ticket after purchase.. - He could / was able to untie the ropes without the guards noticing.. - She looked all over the house, but couldn't / wasn't able to find her keys anywhere.. - but I could / was able to have a couple of days off last week.. - She swam strongly and could / was able to cross the river easily, even though it was swollen by the heavy rain.. - Put in could or was/ were able to. - The computer went wrong, but luckily Emma was able to put it right again.. - I could/ was able to read it when I was five.. - People heard warnings about the flood, and they were able to move out in time.. - I couldn't / wasn't able to find a seat anywhere.. - Carter was able to put out the fire before the house burnt down.. - The plane was able to take off at eleven o'clock, after the fog had lifted.. - It was foggy, so the plane couldn't / wasn't able to take off.. - China became the third country in the world to be able to independently carry out manned space flights.. - I want to become an astronaut so that I will be able to travel faster than sound.