English Grammar Exercises – can, could and be able to

1. Choose the correct alternative.

1   Why did you walk from the station? You could phone / could have phoned me for a lift.

2   I loved staying with my grandparents when I was a child. They let me read all their books and told me I could go / was able to go to bed as late as I wanted.

3   This carpet was priced at £500, but I could get / was able to get a discount because of this little mark in the corner.

4   I couldn’t have got / haven’t been able to get online all morning. It’s making my life impossible!

5   I’ve no idea where my brother is now. He can be / could be at the North Pole for all I know.

6   It’s hard to imagine how scientists cope with the Antarctic climate. I’m sure I can’t / couldn’t.

7   We could cook / could have cooked in our holiday flat, but we preferred to eat out.

2. Tick (✓) the best sentence in each pair, or tick both if both are possible.

1 a   I broke my new necklace but luckily my sister could fix it for me. ✗

   b   I broke my new necklace but luckily my sister was able to fix it for me. ✓

2 a   Emily was with Tom when her phone was stolen, so she could use his to call me.

   b   Emily was with Tom when her phone was stolen, so she was able to use his to call me.

3 a   I didn’t enjoy the match because I forgot my glasses. I couldn’t see the ball.

   b   I didn’t enjoy the match because I forgot my glasses. I wasn’t able to see the ball.

4 a   In the end, Marion could come with us because her meeting was cancelled.

   b   In the end, Marion was able to come with us because her meeting was cancelled.

5 a   Toby couldn’t speak Dutch when he arrived in Holland, but he’s almost fluent now.

   b   Toby wasn’t able to speak Dutch when he arrived in Holland, but he’s almost fluent now.

6 a   I’d planned to get a taxi after the party, but luckily I could have a lift with Kate.

   b   I’d planned to get a taxi after the party, but luckily I was able to have a lift with Kate.

7 a   We really wanted to buy a new car last year, but we just couldn’t afford it.

   b   We really wanted to buy a new car last year, but we just weren’t able to afford it.

8 a   My brother could read well by the age of seven, but he had problems with maths.

   b   My brother was able to read well by the age of seven, but he had problems with maths.

9 a   Last night we heard a noise outside our window and when we turned off the light inside, we could see a fox by the rubbish bin.

   b   Last night we heard a noise outside our window and when we turned off the light inside, we were able to see a fox by the rubbish bin.

10 a   One day last week I locked my sister out of the house by mistake, but luckily she could get in through an open window!

     b   One day last week I locked my sister out of the house by mistake, but luckily she was able to get in through an open window!