26/9/2020 Test English - Prepare for your English exam

Can, could, be able to – ability and possibility

 Exercises  Explanation

Exercises: 1 2 3

Exercise 3
Fill in the gaps with the correct form of can, could, be able to (affirmative or negative). Use a form of can or could if
possible.
Grammar » B1 Grammar lessons and exercises » Can, could, be able to – ability and possibility » Page 3

You have completed this test.

Correct answers: 0/10.
Your score is 0%.
Check your answers:

1 [no answer] you help me with the bags, please?

Correct answer: Can/Could

 We can use both can or could to ask someone to do something (requests) or to ask for permission.

2 I'm free tonight, so I'll [no answer] come and help you.

Correct answer: be able to

 Will is a modal verb and after a modal verb, we need to use an infinitive.
 The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We use be able to for all the other verb
forms: present perfect, future, infinitive, gerund, etc

3 I used to [no answer] touch my toes when I was younger.

Correct answer: be able to

 After used to, we need an infinitive form.
 The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We use be able to for all the other verb
forms: present perfect, future, infinitive, gerund, etc.

4 I remember my brother [no answer] draw much better than me.

We use cookies to personalise

Correct answer: content
couldand ads, able
(was to provide
to issocial
also media features and to analyse our traffic. By continuing you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
possible)
about cookies and how to change your cookie settings
 We can use both could or was/were able to to talk about general ability in the past.
I agree

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/can-could-be-able-to/3/ 1/3
26/9/2020 Test English - Prepare for your English exam

5 We [no answer] get a picture of the painting because cameras were not allowed.

Correct answer: couldn't/could not (weren't able to is also possible)

 The negative couldn’t can be used for all situations, general ability or permission in the past, and also when
somebody didn’t do something in a specific situation. In this sentence both couldn’t and weren't able to would be
correct.

6 [no answer] I come with you to the party?

Correct answer: Can/Could

 We can use both can or could to ask someone to do something (requests) or to ask for permission (could is
more polite).

7 I haven't [no answer] sleep very well lately.

Correct answer: been able to

 In this sentence, we need a past participle because the verb is in present perfect.
 The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We use be able to for all the other verb
forms: present perfect, future, infinitive, gerund, etc.

8 She says that she [no answer] speak five languages fluently.

Correct answer: can (is able to is also possible)

 We use can to talk about ability.
 Be able to would also be possible in this sentence.

9 We tried, but we [no answer] stop the fire.

Correct answer: couldn't/could not (weren't able to is also possible)

 The negative form couldn’t can be used for all situations, general ability or permission in the past, and also
when somebody didn’t do something in a specific situation. In this sentence both couldn’t and weren't able
to are correct.

10 He didn't want to come, but finally we [no answer] persuade him.

Correct answer: were able to

 We use was/were able to or managed to (NOT could) to say that someone did something in a specific
situation.

Exercises: 1 2 3

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. By continuing you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
Related tests: about cookies and how to change your cookie settings

I agree

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/can-could-be-able-to/3/ 2/3
26/9/2020 Test English - Prepare for your English exam

can, can’t – ability,

possibility, permission

have to, must, should

– obligation,
prohibition, necessity,
advice

TAKE A LEVEL TEST


  

Menu Levels

Grammar Points A1 Elementary

Listening tests A2 Pre-intermediate
Reading tests B1 Intermediate
Use of English B1+ Upper-intermediate
Writing B2 Pre-advanced

Links Info

Homepage Terms of Use

About us Privacy Policy
Grammar contents Contact us

© 2016-2020 Copyright: test-english.com All rights reserved. Made at illadelsbous.com

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. By continuing you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
about cookies and how to change your cookie settings

I agree

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/can-could-be-able-to/3/ 3/3