Ability (can/could) Exercises PDFSet 4: Can vs Could vs Be Able To

20 questions·14 min·Answers included·Explanations included

Preview: Questions

Fill in the blank with the correct option.

1.I ___ play chess. Do you want a game?

a) canb) couldc) was able tod) will be able to

2.When I was a child, I ___ run very fast.

a) canb) am able toc) couldd) will be able to

3.After the surgery, she ___ walk again. (specific past achievement)

a) couldb) was able toc) cand) has been able to

4.They ___ join us for dinner next Friday. They're going away.

a) can't able tob) couldn'tc) don't cand) won't be able to

5.___ you hear that noise? Something is beeping.

a) Canb) Couldc) Are able tod) Were able to

... and 15 more questions in the PDF

1.can

2.could

3.was able to

4.won't be able to

5.Can

... and 15 more answers in the PDF

1."can"(a)

This is about present ability — use 'can'. 'Do you want a game?' shows the offer is happening now.

2."could"(c)

'When I was a child' is a past time period. Use 'could' for a general ability in the past.

3."was able to"(b)

For a specific achievement (she succeeded in walking after surgery), use 'was able to'. 'Could' is for general past ability, not one-time successes.

4."won't be able to"(d)

'Next Friday' is future. Use 'won't be able to' for future inability. 'Can't able to' is not English.

5."Can"(a)

This is about right now — use 'Can' for present perception. 'Something is beeping' confirms the present moment.

... and 15 more explanations in the PDF

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