30 Dec 2014

CAN/ COULD AND BE ABLE TO


I've never been able to... scuba-dive

I really wanted to learn. Maybe it was because of that scene in one of the very first James Bond films, where a beautiful actress comes out of the sea looking fabulous, with oxygen bottles on her back- I could see myself looking just like her. So, two years ago I booked a holiday which included a week's intensive course. On the first day of the course I was incredibly excited. First we had two hours of theory and then we went into the sea to put it into practice. 
But as soon as I went under the water I discovered that I suffered from claustrophobia . I just wasn't able to do it. After about half an hour I gave up . Every evening for the rest of my holiday I had to listen to my scuba-diving classmates talking about all the wonderful things they had seen that day on their diving excursions. Not being able to join the conversation was very frustrating.

I still love swimming and snorkelling, but I think that I have to accept that I will never be able to scuba- dive.



Learn do dance

I have always  wanted  to dance salsa, and when I was working in Ecuador there were free classes, so I joined. But the art of salsa, is to keep your arms still and move your hips, and I just couldn't do it. When I hear music my arms start moving, but my hips don't. 

After about ten hours of classes I was able to dp the basic steps, but I was dancing like a robot! I didn't give up, but soon everyone in the class was dancing and I was just slowly moving from side to side and counting out loud 'one, two, three, four" I was a bit embarrasing. I was sure that one day I would suddenly be able to do it- but that never happened. I can still remember the first two steps and I still try to dance when I hear a salsa tune- as long as nobody is watching!

...................

...... speak Japanese
Complete with the correct for of be able to (+,-,?).

Her mobile has been switched off all morning, so I haven't been able to talk to her yet.

I don't like noisy bars. I like to be able to have a conversation without shouting.

I 'll be able to leave home when I get a job.

We are having a party next Saturday. Will you be able to come?

You need to be able to swim before you can in a canoe.

I'm going to France next week, but I don't speak French. I hate not being able to communicate with people.

Fortunately, firefighters were able to rescue all of the people trapped inside the burning house.

I am very sorry, but we won't be able to go to your wedding next month. We'll be on holiday.

I'm feeling a bit worse. Have you been able to contact the doctor yet?

The manager isn't able to see you right now because he's in a meeting.
 



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