Can, Could and To Be Able To...

Circle the correct answer. Checked your answers with your teacher.

1. I ______________ remember his name.

am not able to
can't
red herring

2. You'll be able to solve this, ______________?
can you
won't you
will you

3. Diana ______________ the piano.

can play
can to play
eats

4. Sorry, Teacher. I ______________do it yet.

wasn't able to
couldn't
haven't been able to

5. She ______________ come on holiday next month if her parents give her permission.

can't
could
will be able to

6. He ______________ pass the exam if he studied harder.

will be able to
can
would be able to

7. They ______________ go. The weather was too bad.

couldn't
can't
wasn't able to

8. The fishing boat sank but luckily all the crew ______________ save themselves.

were able to
could
wasn't able to

9. Can you lend me some money?
Sorry. I ______________. I haven't got any either.

can't
am not able to
couldn't

10. We ______________ go to the party. We're going to a wedding.

couldn't
won't be able to
will can't

Can / Be Able To - Exercises

Underline the correct form of 'can' "could" or 'to be able to' to complete the sentences below.

e.g. Tom -- was able to (buy) a new house last month.

e.g. Can they play (they/play) tennis well?

1. She _______________ (not/understand)the question yesterday.

2. Fred __________ (speak) Russian when he was six years old.

3. When __________________________ (you/come) tomorrow?

4. Unfortunately, they -- (weren't able to get OR couldn't get) the bread this morning.

5. I -- (wasn't able to OR couldn't play) golf last Thursday.

6. _____________ (you / speak) Japanese?

7. Will ______________________(he / come) to the party next weekend.

8. They ______ ___________ (get) tickets to the Rolling Stones concert last week.

9. How were _____________ (you / convince) him to come to the exhibition last week?

10. She (wasn't able to enjoy OR couldn't enjoy) the concert because of the noise outside.

Be able to... (page 36)

Use “will be able to…” and the verb in parentheses, make the necessary changes.

e.g. He (leave) early tomorrow.

Will he be able to leave early tomorrow?

No, he won’t be able to leave early tomorrow.

1. We (see) him next week.

_____________________________________________________

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2. They (be) here in ten minutes.

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3. The meeting (begin) at nine o’clock tonight.

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4. I (give) Mr. Prieto your message tomorrow night.

______________________________________________________

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5. Mr. Moore (read) that story to the students next Monday.

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6. The janitor (lock) the door to the office at 6:30 p.m.

______________________________________________________

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7. We (have) an important party next Tuesday.

______________________________________________________

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8. The women’s club meeting (start) at noon.

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9. We (sing) in the Christmas chores.

______________________________________________________

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10. Your father (late) for work if he doesn’t hurry.

______________________________________________________

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11. I (remind) you about your promise to take me to dinner.

______________________________________________________

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12. The students (buy) the refreshments for the party

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13. Mary (return) to England a week from tomorrow.

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14. Our friends (meet) us at the “Chalet” at 6 o’clock.

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