English ex

Exercise 1

CHOOSE THE CORRECT FORM OF CAN, COULD, BE ABLE TO (AFFIRMATIVE OR NEGATIVE). USE A FORM OF BE ABLE TO ONLY IF A FORM OF CAN OR COULD IS NOT POSSIBLE.

You have completed this test.

Correct answers: 9/10.

Your score is 90%.

Check your answers:

1Can you read this for me? I can’t see without my glasses.

➪ We can use can’t or not be able to to talk about absence of ability.

2I’ve never been able to speak Spanish as well as my brother.

➪ In this sentence, we need the present perfect form. The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We use be able to for all the other verb forms: present perfect, future, infinitive, gerund, etc.

3After 2 years in China, I can speak quite fluently now.

➪ We can use both can and be able to to talk about general ability in the present, although can is more common.

4I hate not being able tounderstand my French neighbours.

➪ In this sentence, we need a gerund. The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We use be able to for all the other verb forms: present perfect, future, infinitive, gerund, etc.

5When he was 40, he could speak six languages.

➪ We can use both couldor was/were able to to talk about general ability in the past.

6After 6 hours climbing, we were able to reach the top of the mountain.

➪ We use was/were able to or managed to (NOT could) to say that someone did something in a specific situation.

7When I was a child I used to be able to stand on my head.

➪ In this sentence, we need an infinitive form. The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We use be able to for all the other verb forms: present perfect, future, infinitive, gerund, etc.

8Yesterday I lost my keys and I looked for them everywhere, but I couldn’t find them.

➪ The negative form couldn’tcan be used for all situations, general ability or permission in the past, and also when somebody didn’t do something in a specific situation. In this sentence both couldn’t and wasn’t able to are correct.

9Sally wasn’t at home, but I could contact her at her office.

Correct answer: was able to
➪ We use was/were able to or managed to (and not could) to say that someone did something in a specific situation.

10If you tell him your problem he might be able to help you.

➪ After a modal verb (must, might, should, will, etc.) we need a verb in the infinitive form. The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We use be able to for all the other verb forms: present perfect, future, infinitive, gerund, etc.

Can, could, be able to– ability and possibility

Exercise 2

CHOOSE THE CORRECT OPTION/S FOR EACH GAP BELOW. USE CAN OR COULDIF POSSIBLE.

You have completed this test.

Correct answers: 9/10.

Your score is 90%.

Check your answers:

1___ lend me a pen, please? Choose TWO correct options

• a. Can youcorrect
• b. Could youcorrect
• c. Are you able to

➪ We can use both can or could to ask someone to do something (requests) or to ask for permission (could is more polite).

2Not all countries ______ to manufacture high-quality products.

• a. are ablecorrect
• b. can
• c. could

➪ We can say can/could find, but we cannot say *can/could to find.

3She fell into the river, but fortunately the firefighters ______ rescue her. Choose TWO correct options

• a. were able tocorrect
• b. couldwrong
• c. managed tocorrect

➪ We use was/were able to or managed to (NOT could) to say that someone did something in a specific situation.

4They ______ unlock the door and escape.

• a. can
• b. could
• c. managed tocorrect

➪ We use was/were able to or managed to (NOT could) to say that someone did something in a specific situation.

5When you called yesterday I ______ pick it up because I was in the shower.

• a. couldn’tcorrect
• b. wasn’t able to
• c. can’t

➪ The negative form couldn’t can be used for all situations, general ability or permission in the past, and also when somebody didn’t do something in a specific situation.
➪ In this sentence both couldn’t and wasn’t able to are correct.

6You _____ stay until late tonight if you want.

• a. cancorrect
• b. could
• c. are able to

➪ We use can and can’t to talk about possibility or permission.

7_____ work from home is a big advantage for parents with young children. 

• a. Caning
• b. Being able tocorrect
• c. To can

➪  The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We use be able to for all the other verb forms: present perfect, future, infinitive, gerund, etc.

8If you follow the instructions you should ______ set up the computer without a problem.

• a. be able tocorrect
• b. can
• c. could

➪ In this sentence, we need an infinitive form. The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We use be able to for all the other verb forms: present perfect, future, infinitive, gerund, etc.

9I was alone all morning, so I ______ finish the book.

• a. was able tocorrect
• b. could 
• c. canwrong

➪ We use was/were able to or managed to (NOT could) to say that someone did something in a specific situation.

10Police officers searched the area but he ______ get away.

• a. managed tocorrect
• b. can
• c. could

➪ We use was/were able to or managed to (NOT could) to say that someone did something in a specific situation.

Can, could, be able to– ability and possibility

Exercise 3

FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF CAN, COULD, BE ABLE TO (AFFIRMATIVE OR NEGATIVE). USE A FORM OF CAN OR COULD IF POSSIBLE.

You have completed this test.

Correct answers: 6/10.

Your score is 60%.

Check your answers:

1Can  you help me with the bags, please?

➪ We can use both can or could to ask someone to do something (requests) or to ask for permission.

2I’m free tonight, so I’ll Be able to come and help you.

➪ Will is a modal verb and after a modal verb, we need to use an infinitive.
➪ The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We use be able to for all the other verb forms: present perfect, future, infinitive, gerund, etc

3I used to Be able totouch my toes when I was younger.

➪ After used to, we need an infinitive form.
➪ The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We use be able to for all the other verb forms: present perfect, future, infinitive, gerund, etc.

4I remember my brother Could draw much better than me.

➪ We can use both couldor was/were able to to talk about general ability in the past.

5We Weren’t able to get a picture of the painting because cameras were not allowed.

Correct answer: couldn’t/could not (weren’t able to is also possible)
➪ The negative couldn’t can be used for all situations, general ability or permission in the past, and also when somebody didn’t do something in a specific situation. In this sentence both couldn’t and weren’t able to would be correct.

6Can I come with you to the party?

➪ We can use both can or could to ask someone to do something (requests) or to ask for permission (could is more polite).

7I haven’t Can sleep very well lately.

Correct answer: been able to
➪ In this sentence, we need a past participle because the verb is in present perfect.
➪ The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We use be able to for all the other verb forms: present perfect, future, infinitive, gerund, etc.

8She says that she Canspeak five languages fluently.

➪ We use can to talk about ability.
➪ Be able to would also be possible in this sentence.

9We tried, but we Weren’t able to stop the fire.

Correct answer: couldn’t/could not (weren’t able to is also possible)
➪ The negative form couldn’t can be used for all situations, general ability or permission in the past, and also when somebody didn’t do something in a specific situation. In this sentence both couldn’t and weren’t able to are correct.

10He didn’t want to come, but finally we Can persuade him.

Correct answer: were able to
➪ We use was/were able to or managed to (NOT could) to say that someone did something in a specific situation.