Can VS Could

Can VS Could and be able to

They are called modals of ability and are used to mention things that you DO.

Structure

SUBJECT+CAN/COULD+MAIN VERB
1) I can cook very well.
2) She can speak three languages.
3) I could swim very well when I was a child.

NEGATIVE FORM
1) I cannot (can't) play a musical instrument.
2) He could not (couldn't) play soccer very well as a kid.

INTERROGATIVE FORM

CAN/COULD+SUBJECT+MAIN VERB

_{1) Can you play the piano?}

_{2) Could you walk at the age of 1?}

The main verb is always the bare infinitive (infinitive without to). We cannot say: I can to play tennis.

Structure

We use "was able to" to talk about one time achievements in the past.

Example:

1)Not: I could win a difficult contest.

2)Correct: I was able to win a difficult contest.

Multiple Choice

You____be successful. Just work hard.

• can

• can't

• could

• couldn't

• are able to

Multiple Choice

Yesterday, I ____ finish the test early.

• can

• can't

• could

• couldn't

• was able to

Multiple Choice

My sister's baby ____ read at by age two.

• can

• can't

• could

• couldn't

• was able to

Multiple Choice

____ you speak English when you were little?

• can

• can't

• could

• couldn't

• was able to

Multiple Select

I ___ speak Chinese, but I ___read or write it.

• can

• can't

• could

• couldn't

• was able to

Multiple Choice

Carmen ___ prepare dinner on time. She was late.

• was able

• couldn't

• can't

• wasn't able to

Multiple Select

I ___ stand on my hands when I was a child, but I ___ last month.

• can

• could

• couldn't

• can't

• am able to

Multiple Choice

You____be successful. Just work hard.

• can

• can't

• could

• couldn't

• are able to