See hear smell taste feel remember understand• When we went into the house, we could smell burning. • She spoke in a very low voice, but I could understand what she said: We also use could to say that somebody had the general ability or permission to do something: e My grandfather could speak five languages. • We were completely free. We could do what we wanted. (= we were allowed to do...)
We use could for general ability. But if we are talking about what happened in a particular situation, we use was/were able to... or managed to... (not could): • The fire spread through the building quickly but everybody was able to escape. • They didn't want to come with us at first but we managed to persuade them.
Compare: • Jack was an excellent tennis player. He could beat anybody. (= he had the general but * Jack and Alf had a game of tennis yesterday. Alf played very well but in the end Jack
The negative couldn't (could not) is possible in all situations: • My grandfather couldn't swim. • We tried hard but we couldn't persuade them to come with us. • Alf played well but he couldn't beat Jack.
Exercise 8. Complete the sentences using can or (be) able to. Use can if possible; otherwise use (be) able to. 1 Model: George has travelled a lot. He...can... speak four languages. 2 I haven't....been able to... sleep very well recently. 3 Sandra…………… drive but she hasn't got a car. 4 I can't understand Martin. I've never…….. understand him. 5 I used to………….. stand on my head but I can't do it now. 6 I can't see you on Friday but I…………… meet you on Saturday morning. 7 Ask Catherine about your problem. She might………….. help you.
Exercise 9. Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets. 1 Model: (something you used to be able to do) I used to be able to sing well. 2 (something you used to be able to do) I used………………………. 3 (something you would like to be able to do) I'd……………………………………………………………………… 4 (something you have never been able to do) I've……………………………………………………………………
Exercise 10.. Complete the sentences with can / can't / could / couldn't + one of these verbs: 1 Model: I'm afraid I ...can't come to your party next week. 2 When Tim was 16, he was a fast runner. He……………. 100 metres in 11 seconds. 3 'Are you in a hurry? ' 'No, I've got plenty of time. I…………………………… ' 4 I was feeling sick yesterday. I…………………………………………… anything. 5 Can you speak up a bit? I………………………………………... you very well. 6 'You look tired.' 'Yes, I………………………………………………... last night.'
Exercise 11. Complete the answers to the questions with was/were able to. 1 Model: A: Did everybody escape from the fire? B: Yes. Although the fire spread quickly, everybody...was able to escape. 2 A: Did you have difficulty finding Ann's house? B: Not really. Ann had given us good directions and we……………………. 3 A: Did you finish your work this afternoon? B: Yes. There was nobody to disturb me, so………………………………… 4 A: Did the thief get away?
Exercise 12. Complete the sentences using could, couldn't or was/were able to. 1 Model: My grandfather was a very clever man. He...could.. speak five languages. 2 I looked everywhere for the book but I...couldn't... find it. 3 They didn't want to come with us at first but we...were able to... persuade them. 4 Laura had hurt her leg and………………………………. walk very well. 5 Sue wasn't at home when I phoned but I………… contact her at her office 6 I looked very carefully and I…………….. see a figure in the distance. 7 I wanted to buy some tomatoes. The first shop I went to didn't have any but I 8 My grandmother loved music. She……………… play the piano very well. 9 A girl fell into the river but fortunately we……………… rescue her.
Exercise 13. Choose the correct answer (answers) 1. The fire spread through the building quickly but everybody................ A was able to escape В managed to escape С could escape 2. The phone is ringing. It.................... be Tim. A might В can С could 3. Why did you stay at a hotel when you went to New York? You..................... with Barbara. A can stay В could stay С could have stayed 4. I've lost one of my gloves. I.................... it somewhere. A must drop В must have dropped С must be dropping D must have been ropping 5. Take an umbrella with you when you go out. It.................. ram later. A may В might С can D could 6. What was wrong with you? Why................. go to hospital? A had you to В did you have to С must you 7. There's plenty of time. You................... hurry. A don't have to В mustn't С needn't 8. It was a great party last night. You.................. come. Why didn't you? A must have В should have С ought to have D had to 9. Jane.................... a car. A suggested that I buy В suggested that I should buy С suggested me to buy 10. I think all drivers.................... seat belts. A should wear В had better wear С had better to wear 11. It's late It's time.................... home. A we go В we must go С we should go D we went
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