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Can-could-To Be Able To - Exercise

The document contains exercises on using the verbs "can", "could", and "be able to" to express ability in English. It includes gap fills, sentence completions, and questions testing understanding of when to use each form. The exercises cover basic and advanced uses of these verbs such as present ability, past ability, speculation, permission, and conditions.

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Eniko Mihaly

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75% found this document useful (4 votes)

4K views6 pages

Can-could-To Be Able To - Exercise

Uploaded by

Eniko Mihaly

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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1.

can, could, to be able to Exercise

1. Last week we ................. swimming, this week we
can't .................. (can/to go)

2. Maybe the Smiths ................. a new house next year. (can/to build)
3. If you try hard, you ................. your examinations. (can/to pass)
4. When I was five, I ................. . (not/can/to swim)
5. Dennis ................. the trumpet after four months. (can/to play)
6. Luke has passed his driving test, now he ............ a car. (can/to drive)
7. I ................. to him on the phone for three weeks last month.
(not/can/to speak)

8. Alex ................. his homework when his desk is in such a mess.

(not/can/to do)

9. They were so busy, they ................. me. (not/can/to text)

10.Lisa ................. her dress. She can wear it again. (can/to clean)

2. Can/Could Gap Fill Exercise

Use the correct form of "can" to complete each of these sentences. Use
contractions where possible.

1. I .................. sleep last night. It was so hot!

2. When I was five or six, I ................. do a handstand, but
I .................. now.
3. My late grandfather ................. speak French and my
father .................. say a few words of Spanish. I .................. speak
anything but English.
4. We're having a dinner party next Saturday, but Roger .................. come.
5. When I met Darren last year, he .................. swim. He was terrified of
the water. Now he .................. swim like a fish!
6. I .................. finish my lunch today. I just wasn't hungry at all.
7. There are so many different ice creams to choose from. I ..................
decide. You choose for me.
8. I .................. find Ben and then I found him in the garden. Now I find
him ..................again. He keeps disappearing!

3. can could be able to

Now that weve refreshed the basics, see if you can complete the following
sentences correctly.
1. ___ you hear the fireworks from your house last night?

Can't
Can
Could
2. Do you think you ___ write that report by Tuesday? I know youre

very busy.
couldn't
have been able to
will be able to
3. I ___ touch my toes. See!

will be able to
could
can
4. I ___ spend another moment in that restaurant. It was too noisy.

couldn't
can't
have been able to
5. I ___ never seem to get the temperature right.

can
to be able to
can't
6. ___ play professional tennis, you must be extremely fit.

Couldnt
To be able to
Will you be able to
7. ___ you play an instrument?

Able to
Can
Couldn't
8. I'm afraid I ___ attend the meeting, Im on business in Japan.

will be able to
wont be able to
can
9. ___ you have brought it to me at work?

Couldn't
Cannot
Will be able to
10. They ___ save the men from the sinking ship.

could to
was able to
were able to

4. can could be able to

1) She doesn't want to go to the swimming pool because she _______ swim.
can't

is able to

can not

2) We are going to the pictures tonight. Jane __________________ come with us if

she wants to.
Can

is able

cans

3) Excuse me sir, _________ please tell me where the railway station is ?

can't you

could you

are you able to

4) I am sure she __________________ play the piano marvellously when she

is older.
will can
will be able to
is able to
5) It is hot in here, __________________ open the window please?
are you able to
could you
will you can
6) He worked so hard ! He __________________ his exam if he had not
missed his train and got there late.
can have passed
could have passed
can pass
7) Oh Mum ! you have made a cake! I __________________ it when I entered
the kitchen.
could feel
could smell
can smell
8) That armchair was too heavy for Jim, you __________________ him.
can have helped
could have help
could have helped
9) What's the matter with Helen? She didn't say a word tonight; are you sure
she __________________ speak English?
has been able to
can
will be able to
10) When she is older she __________________ drive her father's car.
was able to
will be able to
will can

Answers
1. can, could, to be able to Exercise

1. Last week we could go swimming, this week we can't.

2. Maybe the Smiths will be able to build a new house next year.
3. If you try hard, you can pass your examinations.
4. When I was five, I could not swim.
5. Dennis could play the trumpet after four months.
6. Luke has passed his driving test, now he can drive a car.
7. I could not speak to him on the phone for three weeks last month.
8. Alex will not be able to do his homework when his desk is in such a
mess.

9. They were so busy, they could not text me.

10.Lisa has been able to clean her dress. She can wear it again.