If none is possible, use be able to in the correct tense. Both can and be able to are used to express ability. Six exercises for practicing can, could, will be able to. Can and could ability practice learn about using can and could. They cant dance very well we use can and cant to talk about the ability to do something at a specific time in the present or future i can see you. It tests what you learned on the can, could, be able to page. To talk about an ability in the present, we use can or be able to. Now that weve refreshed the basics, see if you can complete the following sentences correctly. When used properly, questions with the modal can are inquiring about a persons physical or mental capabilities.
Modal verbs of ability esl activities, games and worksheets. You you he can he cant she could she couldnt it it we we they they yes, no, i drive. Click on the words to put them in the correct order. Can cant exercises 567 mustnt vs dont have to exercises 1 2 3 8910 must vs have to has to exercises 1 2 3 11. When i was a kid, i coulnt speak english but i can speak fluently now. This might just be what your esl students are asking themselves.
Can, could, will be able to english esl worksheets for distance. We include be able to here for convenience, but it is not an auxiliary verb. With so many modals with small nuances of meaning, things can get confusing very quickly. We use can to say that something is possible or that somebody has the ability to do something. Oct 31, 2019 both can and be able to are used to express ability. We use can and can t to talk about the ability to do something at a specific time in the present or future. Waswere able to are mostly used in a similar way, however there are some rules and differences. You can do the exercises online or download the worksheet as pdf. Can, could and to be able to exercise infinitive present past past participle to be able to can s could had the ability to been able to.
We were able to escape the fire circle the correct answer. Fill in all the gaps, then press check to check your answers. T expressing ability esl worksheet by atlantis1971. We can use could and be able to to talk about general ability in the past. Two of the biggest sources of confusion come when deciding between can and could or will and would. When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises. To talk about past ability and possibility, we use couldcouldnt or waswere able to. Make note of the fact that verbs never change after can. If we say i am able to swim, it is like saying i can swim. Can, could, be able to ability and possibility test.
To talk about an ability in the present, we use can or be able to i can am able to speak 2 languages. Can, could and would exercises watch the video and read the conversation between sophie and mei. In the interactive worksheet, students complete a range of online exercises to learn and practice the modal verbs of ability can and can t. We sometimes use be able to instead of can or could for ability. This modal verbs of ability exercise asks you to choose the correct modal verb depending on the situation. On todays program, we talk about could was or were able to and managed. If the sentence is negative, we use could or was able to. Past participle to be able to can couldhad the ability to been able to. Modal verbs interactive and downloadable worksheet. When i was a child, i could play whenever i wanted to. Then, when you are ready, try these practice exercises with can could.
T expressing ability 2 easy exercises to practice the affirmative and negative of modal verb can. In general, we use be able to when we talk about a specific achievement particularly if it is a. Can, cant, could, couldnt, was were able to, managed to can and sometimes be able to natural or learned ability could, couldnt, was able general ability in the past was able to managed to, couldnt but not could the successful completion of a specific action finish the sentences. Modal verbs are the helping verbs that express ideas like ability, permission, necessity and so on. Something of which a person is capable or is able to do. How to teach your students the difference a quick and simple summary by susan verner 31,019 views. You must not cannot should not smoke in the kitchen. Could and was able to a free english exercise to learn english. Can, could, will be able to english esl worksheets for. Review modal verbs of ability here download this quiz in pdf here. Lesson c can, could, be able to ability and possibility. Use can or be able to to express an ability or possibility.
General abilities past and present some abilities are general. They are able to do the job faster than anyone else. Can could vs be able to, was were able to grammar explanations, example sentences. Can and could interactive and downloadable worksheet. Wrapup by having students compare answers with classmates, and then choose one or two students to write their answers on the board. Write the phrases in brackets in their correct forms into the gaps. Intermediate grammar can be able to exercise esllounge. It includes an introduction, presentation, and practice. Modals of ability exercise 1 put in can can t could couldnt. You you he can he can t she could she couldnt it it we we they they yes, no, i drive. Here is an interactive pdf version of the above worksheet for english teachers working online. He was able to arrive at the party on time, even after missing the train, so he was very pleased.
Be able to is possible in all tenses but can is possible only in the present and could is possible only in the past for. Use the hint button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. Intermediate level grammar worksheets fill in the spaces in this exercise to help students differentiate between can, could and be able to can, be able to worksheet. Be able to is often similar to can and we may use it instead of can to talk about ability. Heres a refresher lesson on two modal verbs and be able to, which functions as one. Modal verbs of ability exercise 1 perfect english grammar. Can, could and be able to are all used to describe ability but there are important differences that you should be aware of.
Last week, we went to the beach and i could see that she can swim and surf really well. Modal verbs can, could, may, might, should, must, would, will and shall are. For all other verb forms infinitive, gerund, present perfect, etc. Ability nonability general ability could couldnt specific ability was were able to managed to wasnt werent able to couldnt didnt manage to note. She could play the violin when she was three s was able to ma naged to. Could in the past means the general ability to do something. We use can and cant to talk about someones skill or general abilities she can speak several languages. Intermediate level grammar worksheets fill in the spaces in this exercise to help students differentiate between can, could and be able to. Modals of ability 1 can, could, be able to, may, might choose the best modal for each sentence. Could, can, be able to now, try to do the following exercises, good luck. Modal verbs of ability exercise 2 learnenglishonline.
She is one of the most talented person i know, she can cook delicious food, she can drive a car but she rides her bike to work. Powtoon is a free tool that allows you to develop cool animated clips and animated presentations for your website, office meeting, sales pitch, nonprofit fundraiser, product launch, video resume. Lesson c can, could, be able to ability and possibility 1. For worksheets for other modal verbs choose another subsection and for all modal worksheets go to the main modal verb section. Then go to the unit for more information and practice. A collection of english esl can or be able to worksheets for home learning, online practice, distance learning and english classes to teach about. Can, could, be able to ability and possibility test english. Then do these exercises to check your understanding of modal verbs.
Modals of ability 1 can, could, be able to, may, might. This worksheet is actually an entire lesson plan on be able to, can, and could. Home page grammar exercises intermediate can be able to exercise can and be able to worksheet put the correct form of either can or be able to for each sentence. I cant breathe we use could and couldnt to talk about the past. There are currently be able to worksheets and activities in this section. I could sleep eight hours a day when i was younger but i cant do that now. English esl can or be able to worksheets most downloaded. This is an interactive online exercise about the modal verbs of ability can, could and be able to.