In many cases, we can use either can or be able to. Note that can is more usual. In some situations can/could is not possible. For example, we cannot use can after another auxiliary verb.
Fill in the blanks with can or be able to,
1Right now, I ............... see something over there.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
For present ability, "can" and "am able to" are both correct here.
2I ............... solve this puzzle.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
For present inability, "cannot" and "am not able to" are both correct here.
3Last year, she ............... get the promotion.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
For past inability, "couldn't" and "was not able to" are both correct here.
4He ............... speak six languages.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
For present ability, "can" and "is able to" are both correct here.
5She will ............... help us.
Wrong!
After "will", use "be able to" to talk about future ability.
6I have ............... get over that trauma.
Wrong!
With the present perfect, the correct form is "not been able to".
7When he was younger, he ............... finish first in every race.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
For general past ability, "was able to" and "could" are both correct here.
8They might ............... win.
Wrong!
After "might", use "be able to" to talk about possible ability.
9The applicant must ............... converse fluently in English.
Wrong!
After "must", use "be able to" to express a required ability.
10The fire spread rapidly, but luckily we ............... escape.
Wrong!
For success on one past occasion, use "were able to".
11She played well, but she ............... win.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
For failure on one past occasion, "was not able to" and "could not" are both correct here.
12I used ............... run miles on end.
Wrong!
After "used", the correct phrase is "to be able to".
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- Right now, I can / am able to see something over there.
- I cannot / am not able to solve this puzzle.
- Last year, she couldn’t / was not able to get the promotion.
- He can / is able to speak six languages.
- She will be able to help us.
- I have not been able to get over that trauma.
- When he was younger, he was able to / could finish first in every race.
- They might be able to win.
- The applicant must be able to converse fluently in English.
- The fire spread rapidly, but luckily we were able to escape.
- She played well, but she was not able to / could not win.
- I used to be able to run miles on end.