Write true sentences about yourself.

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Can/ could/ be able to

· Be able to means the same as can, but can is much more common.

Be able to is more formal.

Can you come to a meeting next week?

Please inform us if you are able to attend a meeting next week.

· Be able to has forms that can doesn't have.

I’d love to be able to fly. (lnfinitive)

I like being able to make a noise if l want. (-ing form)

I've never been able to cook. (Present Perfect)

She'll be able to see you tomorrow. (Future)

· For general ability in the past we use could.

l could swim when l was four.

But if we are referring to an ability on a particular occasion in the past,

we must use was able to.

The man was drowning, but she was able to swim to him and save him.

The prisoners were able to escape by tying up the warders.

The exception to this rule is with verbs of perception (see, hear, smell, taste, feel)

and verbs of thinking (understand, remember).

l could smell something burning.

We could understand why she was so upset.

· Couldn't is used to express (negative) ability in the past.

My mother couldn't swim until she was 47.

l couldn't find my wallet anywhere.

Write true sentences about yourself.

I can........................................ very well.

I can........................ and I can...................................

I can......................... but I can’t..................................

I can't...............................................

I couldn't...................... until I was..................... year sold.

I used to be able to...................................... very well.

I've never been able to.........................................................

If I go to Britain, I’ll be able to....................................

Complete with the suitable word.

She can drive a car............... very well.

I can’t swim............ all.

They....................... ride a horse but they can’t ride a bike.

I can ride a horse.............. I can ride a bike.

She can...................... a violin.

She can sing................. she can’t dance.

We can paly football............... we can’t play golf.

They can’t write at................ .

He can..................... a bike.

I can cook.................. well.

I................... sing at all.

She can.................... golf very well.

They can cook................ .

Complete the sentences with a form of can, could, or be able to.

Some of the them are negative.

In my country you.......................... get married when you're sixteen.

Speak up! I..................................... hear you!

................................. I borrow your dictionary?

I’d love............................................................... help you, but I can't. I'm sorry.

I............................... get into my house last night because I'd lost my key.

Women.......................................... vote in England until 1922.

I'm learning Spanish because I want............................ to people when I'm in Mexico.

The doctor says l....................................... walk again in two weeks' time.

I asked the teacher if I............................. open the window, but she said I............................ because it would be too noisy.

I'm sorry, but I............................................... come to your party next week.

I love driving! ........................................................ drive has changed my whole life.

If we get up early, we'll...................... catch the first train.

Mozart............................... play the piano brilliantly when he was five.

They................................................ buy the flat because it was too expensive

I used to............................... speak Russian well, but now I..............................................

There was a lot of traffic but we.................................... get there on time

I've always wanted.................................................... dance the tango.

I hate travelling abroad without........................................ speak the language.

Chimpanzees................................................ communicate in sign language.

................................ you take me to the party? If not, I won't.................................. go.

Complete the sentences with could, couldn’t, was/were able to:

I phoned the plumber because I................................................ smell gas in the kitchen.

We............................................. put out the fire by throwing water on it.

Jane and John saved and saved, and finally they.................. buy the house of their dreams.

I phoned you yesterday, but I......................................... get an answer. Where were you?

The neighbours were having a row, and I...................................... hear every word they said. ........................................ you speak French before you moved to Paris?

I went for a ten-mile run last Saturday. It nearly killed me! I......................... move on Sunday.

........................... you............................. find all the things you wanted at the shops?

The police........................... find the man who had stolen my car. He was sent to prison.

My grandfather................................... speak four languages.

When we got to the top of the mountain we.......................................... see for miles.

Complete with the right tense of be able to.

Although he was exhausted, he................................ swim to the other side of the lake.

Do you think you.............................................. finish reading the book tonight?

I'd like............................................... play chess well.

We didn't speak the language, but we......................................... make people understand us.

Bob..................................... find a new job yet. He's still looking for one.

Jean's plane was delayed, but she.................................. get to the meeting on time.

I used..................................... speak a bit of Russian but I've forgotten it all.

I love.................................................. get up late on Sunday mornings.

I'm sorry. I................................ go out tomorrow night. I'm too busy.

Add to the circle two things you can do and two things you’d like to be able to do well.

· Talk about your skills:

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