English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 26: Can, could and (be) able to

We use can to say that something is possible or allowed, or that somebody has the ability to do something. We use can + infinitive (can do / can see etc.):
  • We can see the lake from our hotel.
  • ‘I don't have a pen.’ ‘You can use mine.’
  • Can you speak any foreign languages?
  • I can come and see you tomorrow if you like.
  • The word 'dream' can be a noun or a verb.

The negative is can't (= cannot):
  • I'm afraid I can't come to the party on Friday.

You can say that somebody is able to do something, but can is more usual:
  • We are able to see the lake from our hotel.

But can has only two forms: can (present) and could (past). So sometimes it is necessary to use (be) able to. Compare:

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, Spanish and English.Applicants for the job must be able to speak two foreign languages.

Could

Sometimes could is 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 theatre 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 you want to say that somebody did something in a specific situation, use was/were able to or managed to (not could):
  • The fire spread through the building very quickly, but fortunately everybody was able to escape / managed to escape. (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)

Compare:
  • jack was an excellent tennis player when he was younger. He could beat anybody. (= he had the general ability to beat anybody)
    but Jack and Andy played a match yesterday. Andy played well, but Jack managed to beat him. (= he managed to beat him this time)

The negative couldn't (could not) is possible in all situations:
  • My grandfather couldn't swim.
  • We looked for David everywhere, but we couldn't find him.
  • Andy played well, but he couldn't beat Jack.

26.1 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 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.

26.2 Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets.

  1. (something you used to be able to do)
    .
  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 __________ .

26.3 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.’

26.4 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 __________ .

26.5 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.

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