Mastering Present and Past Ability

Learn how to express present and past ability in English with confidence and accuracy.

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PRESET AND PAST ABILITY

When we talk about present and past abilities, we use the following verbs forms:

• ​CAN

• COULD

• BE ABLE TO

• MANAGE TO

​VERB in the INFINITIVE

Multiple Select

Choose the correct options (there's more than on):

Which modal verb is used to express present and past ability?

• can/could

• be able to

• manage to

• should/would

PRESENT ABILITY

PRESENT ABILITY

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

Olaf _______ paint great pictures of animals

• can

• manages

• is able

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

She ________ to find the theatre with the help of the app.

• can

• manages

• can't

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

I ________ understand this question

• can

• manages to

• can't

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

Poppy ________ work and study, but she's often tired

• can

• manages to

• can't

PAST ABILITY

PAST ABILITY

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

Marina _______ raise enough money for her trip

• wasn't able

• could

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

I ______ watch TV all day as a kid.

• was able

• can

• could

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

He _______ to deal with any more problems.

• couldn't

• wasn't able

• can't

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

After spending hours looking for a good novel, Hana _______ to find it.

• can't

• didn't manage

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

She forgot her lines, but she _______ stay calm.

• could

• managed to

• was able

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

I _______ sit my English test because I was on holiday.

• couldn't

• didn't manage to

• was able to

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

I don’t like loud music in pubs. I like ______speak with my friends.

• being able to

• can

• managing to

Multiple Select

Choose the two possible answers:

Will we ________ talk to the singer after the concert?

• can

• manage to

• be able to