English Grammar Exercises: Can, could and (be) able to

Exercise 1   

Complete the sentences using can or (be) able to. Use can if possible; otherwise use (be) able to.

1   Gary has travelled a lot. He ……………………. speak five languages.

2   I haven’t ……………………. to sleep very well recently.

3   Nicole ……………………. drive, but she doesn’t have a car.

4   I used to ……………………. stand on my head, but I can’t do it any more.

5   I can’t understand Mark. I’ve never ……………………. understand him.

6   I can’t see you on Friday, but I ……………………. meet you on Saturday morning.

7   Ask Katherine about your problem. She might ……………………. help you.

Exercise 2   

Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets.

1   (something you used to be able to do)

     I used …………………….

2   (something you used to be able to do)

     I used …………………….

3   (something you would like to be able to do)

     I’d …………………….

4   (something you have never been able to do)

     I’ve …………………….

Exercise 3   

Complete the sentences with can/can’t/could/couldn’t + the following:

come    eat    hear    run    sleep    wait

1   I’m afraid I ……………………. to your party next week.

2   When Dan was 16, he ……………………. 100 metres in 11 seconds.

3   ‘Are you in a hurry?’ ‘No, I’ve got plenty of time. I …………………….

4   I was feeling sick yesterday. I ……………………. anything.

5   Can you speak a little louder? I ……………………. you very well.

6   ‘You look tired.’ ‘Yes, I ……………………. last night.’

Exercise 4   

Complete the answers to the questions with was/were able to ….

1   A: Did everybody escape from the fire?

    B: Yes, although the fire spread quickly, everybody ……………………. .

2   A: Did you finish your work this afternoon?

    B: Yes, there was nobody to disturb me, so I ……………………. .

3   A: Did you have problems finding our house?

    B: Not really. Your directions were good and we ……………………. .

4   A: Did the thief get away?

    B: Yes. No-one realised what was happening and the thief ……………………. .

Exercise 5   

Complete the sentences using could, couldn’t or managed to.

1   My grandfather travelled a lot. He ……………………. speak five languages.

2   I looked everywhere for the book, but I ……………………. find it.

3   They didn’t want to come with us at first, but we ……………………. persuade them.

4   Laura had hurt her leg and ……………………. walk very well.

5   I ran my first marathon recently. It was very hard, but I ……………………. finish.

6   I looked very carefully and I ……………………. see somebody in the distance.

7   I wanted to buy some tomatoes. The first shop I went to didn’t have any, but I ……………………. get some in the next shop.

8   My grandmother loved music. She ……………………. play the piano very well.

9   A girl fell into the river, but fortunately we ……………………. pull her out.

10   I had forgotten to bring my camera, so I ……………………. take any pictures.