Question
Updated on
3 February
- Japanese
-
English (US)
Question about English (US)
Do these sentences below mean the same thing? Is there any difference in nuance?
1) He wasn’t able to live on a part-time worker’s wages.
2) He couldn't live on a part-time worker’s wages.
Do these sentences below mean the same thing? Is there any difference in nuance?
1) He wasn’t able to live on a part-time worker’s wages.
2) He couldn't live on a part-time worker’s wages.
1) He wasn’t able to live on a part-time worker’s wages.
2) He couldn't live on a part-time worker’s wages.
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- English (US)
- English (UK)
It means the same thing, but "wasn't able to" sounds more polite and is used more often in formal situations/ writings.
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
@Jean_G Ah, I got it. Thank you so much. (Θ‿θ)
The phrase "wasn't able to" is always more polite and formal in any context, right? Or depending on the context?
The phrase "wasn't able to" is always more polite and formal in any context, right? Or depending on the context?
- English (US)
- English (UK)
@nomadatlatl I believe it is. But nowadays, people use these words interchangeably. Some use "able to" in impolite expressions, too. But you will read or hear "could" and "couldn't" very much less than "able to" in formal writings and situations.
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
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