Can, Could & Be Able To
Grammar · PracticePracticeA2
Talking about ability now, in the past, and in the future.
1Choose the best answer Tap an answer. You see why straight away.
Score: 0 / 10
1. I ___ swim very well when I was a child.
2. She ___ speak three languages.
3. After years of practice, he ___ finally play the piano perfectly.
4. ___ you help me with this box?
5. I hope I ___ visit you next year.
6. Despite the storm, the pilot ___ land the plane safely.
7. When I was young, I ___ run very fast.
8. I don’t think I ___ finish this by tomorrow.
9. He ___ speak English fluently now.
10. They ___ escape the building before it collapsed.
Answer key — Can, Could & Be Able To (A2)
- B — could. Could expresses a general past ability.
- A — can. Can expresses a present ability.
- C — was able to. Was able to often describes a specific past achievement, not just a general ability.
- A — Can. Can is the everyday way to make an informal request.
- C — will be able to. "Can" has no future form of its own here, so we use will be able to.
- C — was able to. Was able to for a specific past achievement in a difficult situation.
- B — could. Could expresses a general past ability.
- C — will be able to. Future ability: will be able to.
- B — can. Can expresses a present ability.
- C — were able to. Were able to for a specific past achievement.
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