Fill in the blanks with can, could, be able to or manage to.
1The applicant ............... to speak at least two foreign languages for this international customer-service role.
Wrong!
Two modals cannot go together ("must can" is wrong), so after "must" we use "be able to" instead of "can": "must be able to speak".
2There was heavy traffic on the motorway, but we ............... reach the airport before the gate closed.
Wrong!
Use "managed to" for success in a difficult action on one specific past occasion.
3I had injured my leg during the hike, but I ............... walk all the way back to the hotel.
Wrong!
Use "managed to" for a successful action on one specific difficult past occasion.
4Our new tour guide ............... six languages, so she can help visitors from many countries.
Wrong!
Use "can speak" because "can" is followed by the base form of the verb.
5Did you ............... finish the urgent report before the client arrived?
Wrong!
After "Did you", use the base form "manage to" before the main verb.
6I was very sick after the long journey, and I ............... anything at dinner.
Wrong!
Use "couldn't eat" to describe lack of ability in a past situation.
7I ............... the meeting because I had missed the only morning flight to Berlin.
Wrong!
Use "couldn't attend" for inability to do something in the past.
8A boy had fallen into the river, but a passing cyclist ............... pull him out safely.
Wrong!
Use "managed to" for a successful rescue on one specific past occasion.
9The key did not open the door, so I ............... enter the house until my flatmate came home.
Wrong!
Use "couldn't" to describe inability in a past situation.
10As soon as I came into the kitchen, I ............... gas near the old cooker.
Wrong!
Use "could smell" for past perception with a sense verb.
11............... the tiny bird hiding among the leaves in this picture?
Wrong!
Use "Can you see" to ask about present ability or perception; "can" is followed by the base form and does not take "do".
12I searched the entire room twice, but I ............... my passport before the taxi arrived.
Wrong!
Use "couldn't find" for an unsuccessful search in the past.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- The applicant must be able to speak at least two foreign languages for this international customer-service role.
- There was heavy traffic on the motorway, but we managed to reach the airport before the gate closed.
- I had injured my leg during the hike, but I managed to walk all the way back to the hotel.
- Our new tour guide can speak six languages, so she can help visitors from many countries.
- Did you manage to finish the urgent report before the client arrived?
- I was very sick after the long journey, and I couldn’t eat anything at dinner.
- I couldn’t attend the meeting because I had missed the only morning flight to Berlin.
- A boy had fallen into the river, but a passing cyclist managed to pull him out safely.
- The key did not open the door, so I couldn’t enter the house until my flatmate came home.
- As soon as I came into the kitchen, I could smell gas near the old cooker.
- Can you see the tiny bird hiding among the leaves in this picture?
- I searched the entire room twice, but I couldn’t find my passport before the taxi arrived.