Can/Could - Able to Exercises
can could exercises could couldn t exercises can t be able to
Part I can, used to express ability with could, shall/will be able
Fill the following spaces, using can for present, could for past and shall/will be able for future. There is no need to use other able form in this section. Put to where necessary before the infinitives.
1 . . . you stand on your head? ~
I . . . when I was at school but I . . . now. (2nd verb negative)
2 When I've passed my driving test I . . . hire a car from our local garage.
3 At the end of the month the Post Office will send him an enormous telephone bill which he . . . pay. (negative)
4 I . . . remember the address, (negative) ~
. . . you even remember the street? (negative)
5 When the fog lifts we . . . see where we are. .
6 You've put too much in your rucksack; you never . . . carry all that.
7 When I was a child I . . . understand adults, and now that I am an adult I . . . understand children, (negative, negative)
8 When you have taken your degree you . . . put letters after your name?
9 Don't try to look at all the pictures in the gallery. Otherwise when you get home you . . . remember any of them. (negative)
10 When I first went to Spain I . . . read Spanish but I . . . speak it. (2nd verb negative)
11 ...you type?~
Yes, I . . . type but I . . . do shorthand, (2nd verb negative)
12 I'm locked in. I . . . get out! (negative) ~
. . . you squeeze between the bars? (negative) ~
No! I . . .; I'm too fat. (negative)
Part 2 could and was able
In some of the following sentences either could or was able could be used. In others only was/were able is possible. Fill the spaces and put to where necessary before the infinitives.
13 He was very strong; he . . . ski all day and dance all night.
14 The car plunged into the river. The driver . . . get out but the passengers were drowned.
15 I was a long way from the stage. I . . . see all right but I . . . hear very well.
(2nd verb negative)
16 We . . . borrow umbrellas; so we didn't get wet.
17 . . . you walk or did they have to carry you?
18 I had no key so I . . . lock the door. (negative)
19 I knew the town so I . . . advise him where to go.
20 When the garage had repaired our car we . . . continue our journey.
21 At five years old he . . . read quite well.
22 When I arrived everyone was asleep. Fortunately I . . . wake my sister and she let me in.
23 The swimmer was very tired but he . . . reach the shore before he collapsed.
24 The police were suspicious at first but I . . . convince them that we were innocent.
Part 3 PEG 222 C, 223 B, 283-4
This section includes examples of could used for polite requests and as a conditional.
25 . . . I speak to Mr Pitt, please?~
I'm afraid he's out at the moment. . . . you ring back later?
26 If you stood on my shoulders . . . you reach the top of the wall? ~
No, I'm afraid I . . . (negative)
27 If I sang . . . you accompany me on the piano?~
No, 1..., 1... play the piano! (negative, negative)
28 If a letter comes for me . . . you please forward it to this address?
29 She made the wall very high so that boys . . . climb over it. (negative)
30 They took his passport so that he . . . leave the country, (negative)
31 . . . you tell me the time, please? ~
I'm afraid 1. . . . I haven't got a watch. (negative)
32 If you had to, . . . you go without food for a week?~
I suppose I . . . if I had plenty of water.
33 . . . you lend me Ј5? ~
No, I . . . (negative)
34 They used to chain valuable books to library desks so that people . . . take them away. (negative)
35 He says that he saw Clementine drowning but . . . help her as he . . . swim.
(negative, negative)
36 If you had had the right tools . . . you have repaired the engine?
Part I can, used to express ability with could, shall/will be able
Fill the following spaces, using can for present, could for past and shall/will be able for future. There is no need to use other able form in this section. Put to where necessary before the infinitives.
1 . . . you stand on your head? ~
I . . . when I was at school but I . . . now. (2nd verb negative)
2 When I've passed my driving test I . . . hire a car from our local garage.
3 At the end of the month the Post Office will send him an enormous telephone bill which he . . . pay. (negative)
4 I . . . remember the address, (negative) ~
. . . you even remember the street? (negative)
5 When the fog lifts we . . . see where we are. .
6 You've put too much in your rucksack; you never . . . carry all that.
7 When I was a child I . . . understand adults, and now that I am an adult I . . . understand children, (negative, negative)
8 When you have taken your degree you . . . put letters after your name?
9 Don't try to look at all the pictures in the gallery. Otherwise when you get home you . . . remember any of them. (negative)
10 When I first went to Spain I . . . read Spanish but I . . . speak it. (2nd verb negative)
11 ...you type?~
Yes, I . . . type but I . . . do shorthand, (2nd verb negative)
12 I'm locked in. I . . . get out! (negative) ~
. . . you squeeze between the bars? (negative) ~
No! I . . .; I'm too fat. (negative)
Part 2 could and was able
In some of the following sentences either could or was able could be used. In others only was/were able is possible. Fill the spaces and put to where necessary before the infinitives.
13 He was very strong; he . . . ski all day and dance all night.
14 The car plunged into the river. The driver . . . get out but the passengers were drowned.
15 I was a long way from the stage. I . . . see all right but I . . . hear very well.
(2nd verb negative)
16 We . . . borrow umbrellas; so we didn't get wet.
17 . . . you walk or did they have to carry you?
18 I had no key so I . . . lock the door. (negative)
19 I knew the town so I . . . advise him where to go.
20 When the garage had repaired our car we . . . continue our journey.
21 At five years old he . . . read quite well.
22 When I arrived everyone was asleep. Fortunately I . . . wake my sister and she let me in.
23 The swimmer was very tired but he . . . reach the shore before he collapsed.
24 The police were suspicious at first but I . . . convince them that we were innocent.
Part 3 PEG 222 C, 223 B, 283-4
This section includes examples of could used for polite requests and as a conditional.
25 . . . I speak to Mr Pitt, please?~
I'm afraid he's out at the moment. . . . you ring back later?
26 If you stood on my shoulders . . . you reach the top of the wall? ~
No, I'm afraid I . . . (negative)
27 If I sang . . . you accompany me on the piano?~
No, 1..., 1... play the piano! (negative, negative)
28 If a letter comes for me . . . you please forward it to this address?
29 She made the wall very high so that boys . . . climb over it. (negative)
30 They took his passport so that he . . . leave the country, (negative)
31 . . . you tell me the time, please? ~
I'm afraid 1. . . . I haven't got a watch. (negative)
32 If you had to, . . . you go without food for a week?~
I suppose I . . . if I had plenty of water.
33 . . . you lend me Ј5? ~
No, I . . . (negative)
34 They used to chain valuable books to library desks so that people . . . take them away. (negative)
35 He says that he saw Clementine drowning but . . . help her as he . . . swim.
(negative, negative)
36 If you had had the right tools . . . you have repaired the engine?
