Fill in the blanks with can or could. In some cases, they are both possible.
1............... I ask you something?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "Can" and "Could" are correct for a request, and "Could" is more polite.
2She said I ............... come as often as I liked.
Wrong!
Use "could" after the past reporting verb "said" for reported permission or possibility.
3Jack ............... not go to work yesterday because he was ill.
Wrong!
Use "could" for past ability or possibility with the time expression "yesterday".
4He ............... borrow my car if he asked.
Wrong!
Use "could" in the main clause of this unreal conditional sentence.
5I ............... her if I had wanted to.
Wrong!
Use "could have married" for an unreal possibility in the past.
6............... you lend me some money until tomorrow?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "Can" and "Could" are correct for a request, and "Could" is more polite.
7When I was a child, I ............... play whenever I wanted to.
Wrong!
Use "could" for general ability or permission in the past.
8"Where is John?" He ............... be in the garden.
Wrong!
Use "could" to express a present possibility when you are not certain.
9It was a place where anything ............... happen.
Wrong!
Use "could" because the sentence describes possibility in a past situation.
10I ............... not understand anything she said.
Wrong!
Use "could" for past ability or understanding.
11You ............... get a better job if you speak English.
Wrong!
Use "can" for a real present possibility in this conditional sentence.
12War ............... break out any day.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "can" and "could" are correct for a general future possibility here.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- Can / Could I ask you something?
- She said I could come as often as I liked.
- Jack could not go to work yesterday because he was ill.
- He could borrow my car if he asked.
- I could have married her if I had wanted to.
- Can / Could you lend me some money until tomorrow?
- When I was a child, I could play whenever I wanted to.
- “Where is John?” He could be in the garden.
- It was a place where anything could happen.
- I could not understand anything she said.
- You can get a better job if you speak English.
- War can / could break out any day.
