How do I say: They were able to.....

Question

I want to say:

''They were able to control and influence the development of the morals and norms in the country.''

How do I say ''they were able to''? I have used the translator, but I don't trust it

This is my take on it:

Eran poder para controlar y influenciar el desarrollo de los normes y morales en el país.

Answer 1

Like rogspax I would have said

Pudieron controlar etc, etc, etc,

I believe "norm" would translate to la "norma o las normas en plural".

Answer 2

This is ny input: ''Eran capaces de controlar e influir en el desarrollo de las moralejas y normas en el país. ''

Answer 3

Like diagnox mentioned earlier I would have said it the same way. There is no plural for moral. It is just la moral

Answer 4

This one comes with a catch, morals is not to be translated in plural into Spanish, in which that word (as the definition of what is acceptable and/or unacceptable regarding social behaviour) is, the singular, moral, so:

''They were able to control and influence the development of the morals and norms in the country.'' =

Pudieron controlar e influenciar el desarrollo de la moral y normas en el país.

Answer 5

I have seen pudieron, or fueron capaces.

Answer 6

Eran/fueron capaces de controlar e influenciar el desarrollo de las normas y morales del país.

it should be moral not morales - Rey_Mysterio, Apr 11, 2013