Can - Could - be able to

We use can for the present and the future to

• talk about ability: I can ride a bike.

• ask for and give permission: Can I go home because I don't feel well?

• talk about what is possible: You can keep fit by walking every day.

• Ask somebody to do something for you: Can you go to the chemist's?

We use could to talk about ability in the past.

Could you walk when you were one year old?

Be able to

• We use be able to to talk about ability.

• We can use it in all tenses except for continuous tenses.

• We use a bare infinitive after be able to.

• Harry is able to run faster than Jim.

• You will be able to get out of bed in two days.

• They have been able to get fit with judo.

was / were able to vs could

• We use was/were able to to talk about what someone managed to do on a specific occasion in the past: He didn't feel well, but he was able to eat dinner.

• Could is usually used only for general ability in the past: I could read when I was 5.

• The negative forms couldn't and wasn't /weren't able to can be used for both general and specific ability in the past: The boy couldn't / wasn't able to walk after the accident.

• null

• 
  

• 
  

Multiple Choice

___ you hear the fireworks from your house last night?

• Can

• could

• Can't

• able to

Multiple Choice

Do you think you _______ write that report by Tuesday? I know you’re very busy.

• couldn't

• have been able to

• will be able to

Multiple Choice

I ___ spend another moment in that restaurant. It was too noisy.

• can't

• couldn't

• have been able to

Multiple Choice

I ___ never seem to get the temperature right.

• to be able to

• can

• can't

Multiple Choice

___ play professional tennis, you must be extremely fit.

• To be able to

• Couldn’t

• Will you be able to

Multiple Choice

___ you play an instrument?

• Couldn't

• Can

• Able to

Multiple Choice

I'm afraid I ___ attend the meeting, I’m on business in Japan.

• won’t be able to

• will be able to

• can

Multiple Choice

They ___ save the men from the sinking ship.

• were able to

• could to

• was able to

Multiple Choice

Matt __________ swim, but he is excellent at drawing.

• can

• can't

• could

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

Mary __________ sing. She's part of the school band.

• is able to

• was able to

Multiple Choice

John __________ paint our house. He's a professional painter.

• could

• can

• couldn't

• cannot

Multiple Choice

My brother__________ play baseball when he was a kid.

• was able to

• were able to

• is able to

Multiple Choice

Katty __________ play the piano when she was a kid.

• isn't able to

• weren´t able to

• wasn't able to

Multiple Choice

My sister is very bad in the kitchen. She __________ cook.

• can

• can't

• could

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

I _______remember his name now.

• can`t

• couldn`t

• won`t be able to

Multiple Choice

Diana_______the piano.

• can play

• can to play

• can`t played

Multiple Choice

They _____ go. The weather was too bad.

• can`t

• couldn`t

• won`t be able to

Multiple Choice

A: Can you lend me some money?

B: Sorry. I ______. I haven`t got enough either.

• can

• can`t

• could

• couldn`t

Multiple Choice

______ you swim when you were 10?

• Can

• Could

• Will be able to

Multiple Choice

Greg _______ to play football in the future

• can

• could

• can't

• will be able to

Multiple Choice

Mary _________ when she was a child, but now she_____

• couldn't / won't be able

• couldn't / can

• can / will be able to

• couldn't / could

Multiple Choice

We _________ take any photos because our camera was broken.

• could

• can

• couldn't

• can't

Multiple Choice

_____ people _______build houses on other planets?

• wiil / be able to

• can

• will / be able

• will can

Multiple Choice

10. Will people ________ live forever one day?

• could be

• be able to

• could be able to

Multiple Choice

9. Can you help me? I ________ never understand this.

• can

• cannot

• am able to

Multiple Choice

8. I'll ________ help you later.

• can

• could

• be able to

Multiple Choice

7. How long have you ________ drive?

• can

• coulded

• been able to

Multiple Choice

I searched for your house for ages, luckily I............... find it in the end.

• could

• was able to

• can

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

We __ to compete in basketball next week

• can

• will be able

• was be able

• could

Multiple Choice

Karina's phone was turned off yesterday, so I ____________ contact her. I'm sorry!

• can't

• be able to

• couldn't

• could

Multiple Choice

_____ he understand what you were talking about?

• Could

• Cans

• Coulded

Multiple Choice

My sister _____ play tennis now.

• can to

• can

• will can

Multiple Choice

I _____ walk when I was less than a year old.

• can

• could

• have can

Multiple Choice

(Polite) _____ you tell me what time it is, please?

• Could

• Can

• Will

Multiple Choice

My grandfather ________ walk without any help last night.

• can

• could

• was able to

Multiple Choice

I would like to ________ play the piano.

• can

• could

• be able to

Multiple Choice

How long have you ________ drive?

• can

• coulded

• been able to

Multiple Choice

I'll ________ help you later.

• can

• could

• be able to

Multiple Choice

Can you help me? I ________ never understand this.

• can

• cannot

• am able to

Multiple Choice

Will people ________ live forever one day?

• could be

• be able to

• could be able to

Multiple Choice

I ______ watch the movie last night. My TV was broken.

• could

• can't

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

I ______ open the door last night, the key was stuck in it!

• couldn't

• could

• can

Multiple Choice

______ you hear that storm yesterday?

• can

• can't

• could

Multiple Choice

I enjoyed my trip to Paris because I ______ speak a little French.

• could

• couldn't

• can

Multiple Choice

______ you speak Russian when you went to the university in Moscow or did you learn later?

• can

• could

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

______ I borrow your phone for two seconds? Thanks.

• could

• couldn't

• can't

Multiple Choice

Both my sisters ______ dance ballet really well. I think they'll be famous!

• could

• can

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

I see that he's shouting something, but I ______ hear what he's saying at all.

• couldn't

• could

• can't

Multiple Choice

We ____ go to the cinema. We didn't have enough money.

• can't

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

You ____ go if you wanted to.

• could

• can

Multiple Choice

____ you contact her, please?

• Could

• Can

Multiple Choice

I ____ sing. I started when I was five.

• can always

• have always been able to

Multiple Choice

I don't worry because he ____ lend me more money.

• is able to

• could

Multiple Choice

It isn't a problem, I ____ phone him later.

• am able to

• can

Multiple Choice

____ speak to the manager?

• Can I

• Will I be able to

• Could

Multiple Choice

He ____ arrive before 8 p.m. He was working.

• can't

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

____ you lend me your pen?

• Could

• Can

Multiple Choice

She ____ here on weekends.

• can't park

• can't parks

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• I can’t to see you today.

• My parents can come to the party.

• We can visiting you at the weekend

Multiple Choice

Which question is correct?

• Can you play the violin?

• You can play the violin?

• Play you the violin?

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is NOT correct?

• David can’t come to work today.

• I can’t to fix your car, I’m afraid.

• We can’t see the television.

Multiple Choice

Which question is correct?

• Can you help me please?

• You can please help me?

• Can you to help me please?

Multiple Choice

Which question is NOT correct?

• Which sports can you play?

• Where I can put this box?

• What time can you come to the office?

Multiple Choice

Can your brother speak German?

• Yes, he cans.

• No, he don’t can.

• No, he can’t.

Multiple Choice

____ you drive me to the station please?

• Can

• Could

Multiple Choice

When Tom was 16, he was a fast runner. He _____ run 200 meters in 22 seconds.

• can

• cannot

• could

• could not

Multiple Choice

I have to study for a test. I _____ come to your party.

• can

• cannot

• could

• could not

Multiple Choice

_____ you help me with this math question now, please?

• Can

• Cannot

• Could

• Could not

Multiple Choice

Can you speak loudly, please? I _______ hear you.

• can

• cannot

• could

• could not

Multiple Choice

_____ you ride a bike last year?

• Can

• Cannot

• Could

• Could not

Multiple Choice

She was tired. She _____ sleep last night because of the rain.

• can

• cannot

• could

• could not

Multiple Choice

You _____ use my umbrella, I don't need it right now.

• can

• could

Multiple Choice

He _________ go to the concert because his parents wouldn't let him.

• can

• could

• can't

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

She is amazing, she ________ speak five languages, including Chinese.

• can

• could

• can't

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

Mike was the only one who ________ understand me, but now he ________ either.

• could - can't

• can - couldn't

• can't - could

• could - can

Multiple Choice

You ______ park here. It's forbidden.

• can

• can't

• could

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

We ________ get to the meeting on time yesterday, because the train was delayed by one hour.

• can

• can't

• could

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

Mike was the only one who ________ understand me, but now he ________ either.

• could - can't

• can - couldn't

• can't - could

• could - can

Multiple Choice

I ______ lift this box - it's too heavy! Would you help me?

• can

• can't

• could

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

Most dinosaurs walked on land, but some ___________ fly or even swim.

• could

• couldn't

• can't

• can

Multiple Choice

Excuse me, I ___________ hear you right now. The music is too loud.

• could

• couldn't

• can

• can't

Multiple Choice

They_________go shopping yesterday because the store was closed.

• can't

• can

• couldn't

• could

Multiple Choice

___ you hear the fireworks from your house last night?

• Can

• could

• Can't

• able to

Multiple Choice

Do you think you _______ write that report by Tuesday? I know you’re very busy.

• couldn't

• have been able to

• will be able to

Multiple Choice

I ___ spend another moment in that restaurant. It was too noisy.

• can't

• couldn't

• have been able to

Multiple Choice

___ play professional tennis, you must be extremely fit.

• To be able to

• Couldn’t

• Will you be able to

Multiple Choice

I'm afraid I ___ attend the meeting, I’m on business in Japan.

• won’t be able to

• will be able to

• can

Multiple Choice

They ___ save the men from the sinking ship.

• were able to

• could to

• was able to

Multiple Choice

I've never _____________ scuba dive. I'm too scared of water!

• can

• could

• been able to

• can't

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

I don't like noisy restaurants. I like ____________ have a conversation without shouting.

• can

• could

• being able to

• be able to

Multiple Choice

Peter will _______________ leave home if he gets a job.

• can

• can't

• to be able to

• be able to

• could

Multiple Choice

You need ____________ swim before you go in a canoe.

• can

• been able to

• to be able to

• could

Multiple Choice

I don't speak French. I hate not ______________ communicate during my trips.

• can

• couldn't

• being able to

• be able to

Multiple Choice

I'm feeling worse! Have you _____________ call the doctor yet?

• can

• can't

• could

• been able to

• be able to

Multiple Choice

I would like _____________ fly or teleport.

• can

• could

• can't

• to be able to

Multiple Choice

It's weekend time! I enjoy ____________ watch my favorite series.

• can

• could

• be able to

• being able to

• to be able to

Multiple Choice

We haven't _____________ sleep properly since last month.

• be able to

• can

• couldn't

• been able to

• could

Multiple Choice

Ella ___ speak French and German in 2 years.

• will be able to

• will can

• could

• is able to

Multiple Choice

Tom's teacher says that he ___ play the violin pretty well in half a year.

• can

• could

• is able to

• will be able to

Multiple Choice

1. I know how to speak English and German. I … speak two languages.

• a) can’t

• b) can

• c) could

Multiple Choice

2. (A) Can he swim?

(B) Yes, he ….

• a) can

• b) could

• c) can’t

Multiple Choice

3. I don’t know where to park my car. Where … my car?

• a) can park

• b) I can park

• c) can I park

Multiple Choice

4. I don’t understand this math problem. Can he … me?

• a) helps

• b) help

• c) helping

Multiple Choice

5. He … run very fast last year, but now he can.

• a) couldn’t

• b) can

• c) can’t

Multiple Choice

6. (A) Do you think they can cook well?

(B) Yes, I ….

• a) am

• b) can

• c) do

Multiple Choice

7. … remember everything our English teacher said yesterday?

• a) Could

• b) Can you

• c) Are you

Multiple Choice

8. He is late again! Why … he arrive on time?

• a) could

• b) can

• c) can’t

Multiple Choice

9. … find some information about travelling in Europe?

• a) Where I could

• b) Where I can

• c) Where can I

Multiple Choice

10. I was late for class last Thursday because… start my car.

• a) I couldn’t

• b) I can’t

• c) I could

Multiple Choice

11. I need someone to teach my class.

you … my class?

• a) Can / teach

• b) Could / teaches

• c) Can / teaching

Multiple Choice

12. I’m very sorry, but I don’t think I … you.

• a) can help

• b) couldn’t help

• c) can’t help

Multiple Choice

13. The company is looking for a person who ….

• a) can’t work hard

• b) can work hard

• c) couldn’t work hard

Multiple Choice

14. (A) Can she …?

(B) No, she can’t right now.

• a) answers the phone

• b) answer the phone

• a) answering the phone

Multiple Choice

15. They couldn’t speak English very well before, but now ….

• a) they could

• b) can they

• c) they can

Multiple Choice

16. Excuse me. … find the manager of the shipping department?

• a) Where can

• b) Where I can

• c) Where can I

Multiple Choice

Birds ________ write.

• can

• can't

Multiple Choice

Monkeys _________ climb trees.

• can

• can't

Multiple Choice

When I was a baby, I _______ crawl.

• could

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

When I was a baby, I _______ drink milk.

• could

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

When she was a baby, she _________ eat a hamburger.

• could

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

She ______ juggle balls now.

• can

• could

Multiple Choice

When he was a baby, he _______ sleep all day.

• can

• could

Multiple Choice

In 1902, people __________ travel by airplane.

• can't

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

When my father was young, he __________ travel to Canada.

• can

• could

Multiple Choice

When she was three years old she could play in her toy car but now she _________. It is too small!

• can't

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option.

• He could speaking French.

• He could to speak French.

• He could speak French.

• He can could speak French.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option.

• He couldn't lifting the box.

• He couldn't not lift the box.

• He couldn't lift the box.

• He couldn't to lift the box.

Multiple Choice

Why __________ she __________ to do last year?

• were / able

• able / was

• where / able

• was / able

Multiple Choice

She __________ ____________ to fly a plane.

• able / was

• was / able

• were / able

• able / were

Multiple Choice

______________ they __________ to write a poem three days ago?

• Were / able

• were / able

• was / able

• Was / able

Multiple Select

Choose the correct options to complete the sentence:

___________ was able to ride a bike 8 years ago.

• I

• He / She

• You

• We / They

Multiple Select

Choose the correct options to complete the sentence:

___________ were able to fix the car yesterday.

• I

• You

• He / She

• We / They

Multiple Select

Choose the correct options to complete the negative sentence:

She ____________ able to dance with Charlie.

• was not

• wasn't

• wasen't

• was don't

Multiple Choice

When Melissa was young, she _______________stand on her hands.

• were able

• weren't able

• was be able

• could

Multiple Choice

I got the job because I _________________start innediately.

• couldn't

• weren't able to

• was able to

• was able

Multiple Choice

At the age of nine, Michael ______________speak four languages.

• wasn't able to

• was able

• could

• couldn't

Multiple Choice

The car ___________________________by the mechanics.

• is being fixed

• is going to be fixing

• is been fixing

• are being fixed

Multiple Choice

Vallejo's poems _________________by Trilce students.

• should been read

• shouldn't read

• should be read

• should is read

Multiple Choice

If you ________________a mistake, just erase it and start over.

• grow

• deliver

• make

• lose

Multiple Choice

As the argument escalated, Albert _________his temper completely.

• lose

• did

• lost

• made

Multiple Choice

Hopefully, when I ______old, someone will take care of me.

• do

• lose

• make

• grow

Multiple Choice

After the amputation of one of his ___________finally he got a ______________________.

• aid / clumsy

• cripple / aware

• enable / deaf

• limbs / prosthesis

Multiple Choice

The same fairy tale _______________by the teacher over and over again.

• are told

• is tell

• is told

• are telling