1 Can, could and (be) able to

Question 1

We use can to say that something is p_____ or al_____ or that somebody has the ab_____ to do something.

Answer 1

We use can to say that something is possible or allowed or that somebody has the ability to do something.

• We can see the ocean from our hotel window.
• “I don’t have a pen”. “You can use mine.”
• Can you speak any foreigh languages?

Question 2

Can has only two forms: ____ (present) and ____ (past). So sometimes it is necessary to use __ ____ __.

Answer 2

Can has only two forms: can present) and could (past). So sometimes is necessary to use be able to.

• I can’t sleep. _VS I haven’t been able to sleep recently.
• Tom can come tomorrow. _VS Tom might be able to come tomorrow.
• Maria can speak French. _VS Applicants for the job must be able to speak French.

Question 3

Sometimes could is the past of can. It is specially used with two types of verb. Wich ones?

Answer 3

Perception verbs and abstract verbs.

Perception verbs: see, hear, smell, taste.

Abstract verbs: feel, remember, understand.

Question 4

We also use could (past) to say that somebody had a general a____ or p_____ to do something.

Answer 4

We also use could to say that somebody had a general ability or permission to do something.

• My grandfather could speak fives languages.
• We were totally free. We could do what we wanted (= we were allowed to do).

Question 5

We use could for a general a_____. But we use was able to or m_____ __ to say that somebody did something in a s_____ situation

Answer 5

We use could for a general ability. But we use was able to or managed to to say that somebody did something in a specific situation.

• Jack was an excellent tennis player when he was younger. He could beat (ability) anybody.
• Jack and Ted played tennis yesterday (specific situation). Ted played very well, but Jack managed to / was able to beat him.

Question 6

The negative couldn’t (could not) is possible in a__ situations, specific and general.

Answer 6

The negative couldn’t (could not) is possible in all situations, specific and general.

• My grandfather couldn’t swim.
• We looked for Dave everywhere, but we couldn’t find him.
• Ted played wery well, but he couldn’t beat Jack.

Question 7

Eric has traveled a lot. He _____ speak four languages.

Answer 7

Eric has traveled a lot. He can speak four languages (ability).

Question 8

I haven’t _____ sleep very well recently.

Answer 8

I haven’t been able to sleep very well recently. _{(could isn’t possible here, duration)}

Question 9

Nicole _____ drive, but she doesn’t have a car.

Answer 9

Nicole can drive (abililty), but she doesn’t have a car.

Question 10

I can’t undestand Michael. I’ve never _____ understand him.

Answer 10

I can’t undestand Michael. I’ve never been able to understand him. _{(could isn’t possible here, duration)}

Question 11

I can’t see you on Fridaly, but I ____ meet you on Saturday morning.

Answer 11

I can’t see you on Fridaly, but I can meet you on Saturday morning. _{(possibility)}

Question 12

I felt sick yesterday. I _____ eat anything.

Answer 12

I felt sick yesterday. I couldn’t eat anything. _{(couldn’t is possible in all situation)}

Question 13

I’m sorry I _____ (not / come) to your party next week.

Answer 13

I’m sorry I can’t come _{(possibility)} to your party next week.

Question 14

When Bob was 16, he _____ run 100 meters in 11 seconds.

Answer 14

When Bob was 16, he could run 100 meters in 11 seconds. _{(ability in general)}

Question 15

“Are you in a hurry?” “No, I’ve got plenty of time. I _____ wait.”

Answer 15

“Are you in a hurry?” “No, I’ve got plenty of time. I can wait”. _{(possibility)}

Question 16

I felt sick yesterday. I ____ (not / eat) anything.

Answer 16

I felt sick yesterday. I couldn’t eat anything. _{(couldn’t is possible in all situation)}

Question 17

Can you speak a little louder. I ____ (not / hear) you very well.

Answer 17

Can you speak a little louder. I can’t hear you very well. _{(possibility)}

Question 18

Did everybody escape from the fire?

Yes. Although the fire spread quickly, everybody _____ escape.

Answer 18

Did everybody escape from the fire?

Yes. Although the fire spread quickly, everybody was able to / managed to escape. _{(specific situation)}

Question 19

Did you have any trouble to find Amy’s house?

Not really. She’d given us good directions, so we _____ find it easily.

Answer 19

Did you have any trouble to find Amy’s house?

Not really. She’d given us good directions, so we were able / managed to find it easily. _{(specific situation)}

Question 20

Did the thief get away?

Yes. No one realized what was happening, and the thief _____ get away.

Answer 20

Did the thief get away?

Yes. No one realized what was happening, and the thief was able to / managed to get away. _{(specific situation)}

Question 21

Choose the right answer.

They didn’t want to come with us at first, but we could / managed to persuade them.

Answer 21

Choose the right answer.

They didn’t want to come with us at first, but we managed to persuade them. _{(specific situation)}

Question 22

Choose the right answer.

Laura had hurt her leg and couldn’t / wasn’t walk very well.

Answer 22

Choose the right answer.

Laura had hurt her leg and couldn’t walk very well. _{(couldn’t is possible in all situations)}

Question 23

Choose the right answer.

I looked very carefully, and I could / managed to see someone in the distance.

Answer 23

Choose the right answer.

I looked very carefully, and I could see someone in the distance. _{(senses verb, ability)}

Question 24

Choose the right answer.

I wanted to buy some tomatoes. The first store I went to didn’t have any good ones, but I could / managed to get some at the next place.

Answer 24

Choose the right answer.

I wanted to buy some tomatoes. The first store I went to didn’t have any good ones, but I managed to get some at the next place. _{(specific situation)}

Question 25

Choose the right answer.

I had forgotten to bring my camera, so I couldn’t / wasn’t able to take any photos.

Answer 25

Choose the right answer.

I had forgotten to bring my camera, so I couldn’t take any photos. _{(couldn’t is possible in all situations)}

Question 26

Choose the right answer.

When I was little, I could / was able to ice-skate, but I couldn’t / wasn’t able to swim well.

Answer 26

Choose the right answer.

When I was little, I could ice-skate _(ability), but I _{couldn’t swim} well. _{(couldn’t is possible in all situations)}

Question 27

I was sitting in the back, so I could not / was not able to hear the professor very well. After I moved to the front, I could / was able to understand every word.

Answer 27

I was sitting in the back, so I couldn’t hear _{(couldn’t is possible in all situations)}the professor very well. After I moved to the front, I could undrestand _(ability) every word.

Question 28

Choose the right answer.

Amy is a gook cook, but she has never could not / been able to make an apple pie.

Answer 28

Choose the right answer.

Amy is a gook cook, but she has never been able to make an apple pie. _{(specific situation)}