Exercise 1

Choose the correct form of can, could, be able to (affirmative or negative). Use a form
of be able to only if a form of can or could is not possible.

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

1Can you read this for me? I can't see without my glasses.
➪ We can use can't or not be able to to talk about absence of ability.

2I've never been able to speak Spanish as well as my brother.

➪ In this sentence, we need the present perfect 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.

3After 2 years in China, I can speak quite fluently now.

➪ We can use both can and be able to to talk about general ability in the present,
although can is more common.

4I hate not being able to understand my French neighbours.

➪ In this sentence, we need a gerund. 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.

5When he was 40, he could speak six languages.

➪ We can use both could or was/were able to to talk about general ability in the past.

6After 6 hours climbing, we were able to reach the top of the mountain.
➪ We use was/were able to or managed to (NOT could) to say that someone did
something in a specific situation.

7When I was a child I used to could stand on my head.

Correct answer: be able to
➪ In this sentence, 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.

8Yesterday I lost my keys and I looked for them everywhere, but I wasn't able to find

them.
Correct answer: couldn't (wasn'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 wasn't able to are correct.

9Sally wasn't at home, but I could contact her at her office.

Correct answer: was able to
➪ We use was/were able to or managed to (and not could) to say that someone did
something in a specific situation.

10If you tell him your problem he might could help you.
Correct answer: be able to
➪ After a modal verb (must, might, should, will, etc.) we need a verb in the 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.

1___ lend me a pen, please? Choose TWO correct options

 a. Can youcorrect
 b. Could youcorrect
 c. Are you able to

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

2Not all countries ______ to manufacture high-quality products.

 a. are ablecorrect
 b. can
 c. could

➪ We can say can/could find, but we cannot say *can/could to find.

3She fell into the river, but fortunately the firefighters ______ rescue her. Choose TWO correct

options

 a. were able tocorrect

 b. couldwrong
 c. managed tocorrect

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

4They ______ unlock the door and escape.

 a. canwrong
 b. could
 c. managed tocorrect

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

5When you called yesterday I ______ pick it up because I was in the shower.

 a. couldn'tcorrect
 b. wasn't able to
 c. can't
➪ 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 wasn’t able to are correct.

6You _____ stay until late tonight if you want.

 a. cancorrect
 b. could
 c. are able to

➪ We use can and can't to talk about possibility or permission.

7_____ work from home is a big advantage for parents with young children.

 a. Caning
 b. Being able tocorrect
 c. To can

➪ 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.

8If you follow the instructions you should ______ set up the computer without a problem.

 a. be able tocorrect
 b. can
 c. could

➪ In this sentence, 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.

9I was alone all morning, so I ______ finish the book.

 a. was able tocorrect

 b. couldwrong
 c. can

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

10Police officers searched the area but he ______ get away.

 a. managed tocorrect
 b. can
 c. couldwrong

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

1Could you help me with the bags, please?

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

2I'm free tonight, so I'll able to 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

3I used to be able to touch my toes when I was younger.

➪ 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.

4I remember my brother couldn't draw much better than me.

Correct answer: could (was able to is also possible)
➪ We can use both could or was/were able to to talk about general ability in the past.

5We couldn't get a picture of the painting because cameras were not allowed.
➪ 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.

6Could I come with you to the party?

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

7I haven't able to 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.

8She says that she is able to 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.

9We tried, but we couldn't stop the fire.

➪ 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.

10He didn't want to come, but finally we were able to persuade him.
➪ We use was/were able to or managed to (NOT could) to say that someone did something in a
specific situation.

can, could
Ability
We use can/could to describe ability, and we use can’t/couldn’t to describe absence of ability.

 She could play the piano very well.

 Children can’t concentrate for long periods of time.
 I can speak Chinese.

Possibility
We also use can to talk about possibility.

 Anyone can win this competition. All the participants are very good.
 I can’t come to the party next week.

Permission
We use can/could to talk about something that is or was allowed and we use can’t/couldn’t to talk
about something that is not allowed.

 You can’t smoke in the house, but you can smoke in the terrace if you want.

We also use can to ask for permission.

 Can I come in?

Requests
We us can/could in requests, i.e. when we ask somebody to do something.

 Can you help me?

 Could you speak more slowly, please?

see, smell, hear, feel, taste

Verbs of perception (see, smell, hear, etc.) are stative verbs and cannot be used in a continuous form.
Instead, we use can.

 Can you hear that? (NOT Are you hearing that?)

 I can smell gas! (NOT I’m smelling gas!)

be able to
Be able to is often similar to can and we may use it instead of can to talk about ability. But be able
to is more formal and is not as common.

 They are able to do the job faster than anyone else.

But can only has present and past forms: can–could. For all other verb forms (infinitive, gerund,
present perfect, etc.) we should use be able to.

 I haven’t been able to study for the exam. (present perfect)

 I’d like to be able to talk to her more often. (to-infinitive; NOT to can)
 I don’t like loud music in pubs. I like being able to talk with my friends. (-ing form)
 Will we be able to talk to the singer after the concert? (infinitive)
can/could vs be able to
We can use can and be able to to talk about general ability in the present.

 She can speak five languages.

 She’s able to speak five languages.

We can use could and be able to to talk about general ability in the past.

 My son could walk when he was 11 months old.

 My son was able to walk when he was 11 months old.

But if we want to say that someone did something in a specific situation, we must use was/were able
to, or managed to + infinitive.

 There was a fire in the office but all the workers were able to/managed to escape. (NOT could
escape)
 He lost his maps but after driving around for a long time, he was able to/managed to find the
place. (NOT could find)

In negative sentences, both could and be able to can be used to say that we were not capable of
doing something on a specific occasion.

 It was very dark and they couldn’t find the exit. (Or They weren’t able to find the exit.)

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-to-upper-intermediate/past-ability