Ability (can, be able to)
can and be able to for present ability; will/might be able to for future predictions; can for decided future arrangements; be able to after another verb; questions and negatives.
1. Maya _____ speak three languages fluently now.
Multiple Choice20sAcan✓Bwill canCcansDcan to💡 Can + bare infinitive is the most common way to express present ability.
2. For present ability, can is generally more common than be able to.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 Both forms are possible in the present, but can is the usual choice.
3. Nina _____ drive yet, but she is taking lessons. (negative can)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedcan't · cannot💡 Can't or cannot + bare infinitive expresses lack of present ability.
4. After the new lift is installed, wheelchair users _____ reach every floor.
Multiple Choice20sAwill be able to✓Bwill canCcan toDare can💡 A prediction about future ability uses will be able to + bare infinitive.
5. Match each ability form to the time or function it expresses.
Matching30scan solve the problem→present abilityis able to work remotely→alternative form for present abilitymight be able to attend→uncertain future abilitywould like to be able to ski→ability as an infinitive after another verb💡 Can is usual in the present, while be able to can follow other modal or infinitive structures.
6. The engineers _____ repair the bridge by Friday. (definite future ability)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwill be able to💡 Will be able to expresses a definite prediction about future ability.
7. Put the chunks in order to ask about completing a future project.
Put in Order30s- 1.Will
- 2.your team
- 3.be able to
- 4.finish the project
- 5.by Friday?
💡 The question form is Will + subject + be able to + bare infinitive?
8. Choose the correct form after 'would like'.
Multiple Choice20sAI'd like to be able to speak Arabic.✓BI'd like to can speak Arabic.CI'd like can speaking Arabic.DI'd like be able speak Arabic.💡 Can has no infinitive form, so use to be able to after would like.
9. For a prediction about future ability, 'People can live underwater one day' is the standard form.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 Can is not normally used for predictions about future ability or possibility.
10. Because of the fog, the helicopter _____ land tonight. (possible negative future ability)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedmight not be able to💡 Might not be able to expresses uncertain lack of future ability.
11. Which sentence correctly uses can for a future arrangement already decided?
Multiple Choice20sAI've checked my diary, so I can meet you on Tuesday.✓BI can to meet you on Tuesday.CI will can meet you on Tuesday.DI've checked my diary, so I cans meet you on Tuesday.💡 Can can refer to future ability when the practical arrangement is already decided.
12. Match each ability question to the only grammatically suitable short reply.
Matching30sCan Amir swim?→No, he can't.Is Bea able to attend?→Yes, she is.Will they be able to help?→Yes, they will.Do you think we might be able to finish today?→Possibly, but it is not certain.💡 Short answers repeat the relevant auxiliary or modal, and might expresses uncertainty.
13. For an alternative to can, complete: Sophie _____ operate all the laboratory equipment. (be able to)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedis able to💡 Is able to agrees with Sophie and expresses present ability.
14. In the present, the verb be changes in the phrase be able to: I am able to, she is able to, they are able to.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 Unlike can, be able to uses a form of be that agrees with the subject.
15. Choose the correct repair of the sentence 'She might can come later.'
Multiple Choice20sAShe might be able to come later.✓BShe might can to come later.CShe might is able to come later.DShe can might come later.💡 After might, use the base form be able to, not can.
16. Reorder the chunks to express a desired future skill.
Put in Order30s- 1.I would like
- 2.to be able to
- 3.understand
- 4.films
- 5.without subtitles.
💡 Would like is followed by the infinitive to be able to + bare infinitive.
17. _____ you remember where we parked the car?
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedCan💡 Can + subject + bare infinitive forms a present ability question.
18. Which sentence expresses lack of present ability correctly?
Multiple Choice20sAThe baby isn't able to walk yet.✓BThe baby doesn't able to walk yet.CThe baby isn't able walk yet.DThe baby can't to walk yet.💡 The correct negative is isn't able to + bare infinitive.
19. After will, be able to changes to 'is able to' with a singular subject.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 A modal verb is followed by the bare infinitive, so be does not change after will.
20. I _____ hear you clearly now; the signal is much better.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedcan💡 Can is the common form for a present ability that exists now.