Can,Could,BeAbleTo

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Can, could and (be) able to
We use can to say that something is possible or that somebody has the ability or capacity to do something.
	We use can + infinitive (can do/ can see etc):
· We can see the lake from our bedroom window.
· You can speak two languages.
· I can come and see you tomorrow if you like
The negative is can’t (= cannot)
· I’m afraid I can’t come to the party on Friday.
· You cannot speak two foreign languages.
The interrogative is can + subject + infinitive
· Can you speak any language?
· Can I go with you, dad? 
· Can we play with you, people?
You can say that somebody is able to do something, but can is more usual:
· We are able to see the lake from our bedroom window
Can has only two forms: can (present) and could (past). So sometimes it is necessary to use be able to.
	· I can’t sleep
	· I haven’t been able to sleep recently
	· Tom can come tomorrow
	· Tom might be able to come tomorrow.
	· Maria can speak French and Spanish
	· Applicants for the job must be able to speak two foreign languages.
COULD
Sometimes could is in the past of can. We use could especially with: 
	See
	hear
	smell
	taste
	feel
	remember
	Understand
	· 
	
	
	
	
	
	
· We had a lovely room in the hotel. We could see the lake.
· As soon as I walked into the room, I could smell gas.
· I was sitting at the back of the theater and couldn’t hear very well.
We also use could to say that somebody had the general ability or permission to do something
· My grandfather could speak five languages.
· We were totally free. We could do what we wanted (= we were allowed to do)
Could and was able to
We use could for general ability. But if we are talking about what happened in a particular situation¸ we use was/were able to… or managed to… (not could):
· The fire spread through the building quickly but everybody was able to escape/ everybody managed to escape ( but not ‘could escape’)
· We didn’t know where David was, but we managed to find/were able to find him in the end.(not could find)
· They didn’t want to come with us at first but we managed to persuade them.
Compare:
· Jack was an excellent tennis player. He could beat anybody (= he had the general ability to beat anybody)
But
· Jack and Alf had a game of tennis/Tennis match yesterday. Alf played very well but in the end Jack managed to beat him... or was able to beat him (= he managed to beat him in this particular game)
The negative form couldn’t (could not) is it possible in all situations:
· My grandfather couldn’t swim
· We tried hard but we couldn’t persuade them to come with us.
· Alf played well but he couldn’t beat Jack.
Exercises
1) Complete the sentences using can if possible or (be) able to. 
a) George has travelled a lot. He can speak four languages.
b) Sandra_____ drive but she hasn’t got a car.
c) I can’t understand Martin. I’ve never__________understand him.
d) I used to__________stand on my head but I can’t do it now.
e) I can’t see you on Friday but I_________meet you on Saturday Morning.
f) Ask Catherine about your problem. She might__________ help you.
2) Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in parenthesis (or brackets).
a) (something you used to be able to do)
I used to be able to sing well.
b) (something you used to be able to do)
I used_______________________________.
c) (something you would like to be able to do)
I would______________________________.
d) (something you have never been able to do)
I have_______________________________.
3) Complete the sentences with can/can’t/could/couldn’t + one of these verbs
	come
	eat
	hear
	Run
	sleep
	wait
a) I’m afraid I can’t come to your party next week.
b) When Tim was 16, he was a fast runner. He_______________100 metres in 11 seconds.
c) ‘Are you in a hurry?’ ‘No, I’ve got plenty of time. I_______________’
d) I was feeling sick yesterday. I_______________anything.
e) Can you speak up a bit? I_______________you very well.
f) ‘You look tired’. ‘Yes, I_______________last night’.
4) Complete the answers to the questions with was/were able to
I. A: Did everybody escape from the fire?
B: Yes. Although the fire spread quickly, everybody was able to escape.
II. A: Did you have difficulty finding Ann’s house?
B: Not really. Ann had given us good directions and we_______________.
III. A: Did you finish your work this afternoon?
B: Yes. There was nobody to disturb me, so_______________.
IV. A: Did the thief get away?
B: Yes. No one realized what was happening and the thief _______________.
5) Complete the sentences using could, couldn’t or was/were able to.
a) My grandfather was a very clever man. He could speak five languages.
b) I looked everywhere for the book but I couldn’t find it.
c) They didn’t want to come with us at first but we were able to persuade them.
d) Laura had hurt her leg and_______________walk very well.
e) Sue wasn’t at home when I phoned but I_______________ contact her at her office.
f) I looked very carefully and I_______________ see a figure in the distance.
g) I wanted to buy some tomatoes. The first shop I went to didn’t
h) 
i) have any but I _______________ get some in the next shop.
j) My grandmother loved music. _______________ play the piano very well.
k) A girl fell into the river but fortunately, we_______________ rescue her.
l) I had forgotten to bring my camera so I_______________ take any photographs.
GABARITO
1)
b) can
c) been able to
d) be able to
e) can
f) be able to
3)
b) could run
c) can wait
d)couldn’t eat
e) can’t hear
f) couldn’t sleep
4)
II) were able to find it
III) I was able to finish it
IV)was able to get away.
5)
a) Couldn’t/wasn’t able to
b) Was able to
c) Could/was able to
d) Was able to
e) Could/ was able to
f) Were able to
g) Couldn’t wasn’t able to.