Can, Could, Be Able To worksheet

Level A2–B1
3 pages, A4
Answer key included

The rule as a picture, 5 multiple-choice questions, 3 sentences to correct and a short writing task. Free to print and copy for your class or for self-study.

Download PDF

Want the explanation first? Read the Can, Could, Be Able To lesson

Worksheet · Level A2–B1

Can, Could, Be Able To

NameDate

Use can for ability now and could for general ability in the past: I can swim. I could swim when I was five. For one particular success in the past, use was able to or managed to: I was able to fix it. For permission and requests, can is casual, could is polite and may is formal: Could I ask a question?

Could I ask you a question?

Could I…?

Could I…?: polite

1. Choose the right answer

Circle a or b.

1.
Next year I drive.a) will canb) will be able to
2.
The door was locked, but we get in through the window.a) were able tob) could
3.
Hey, I borrow your pen?a) canb) must
4.
I've never understand physics.a) couldb) been able to
5.
She play the piano when she was six.a) canb) could

2. Correct the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.

1.
I could finish the report yesterday.
2.
I will can help you tomorrow.
3.
Can you to help me?

3. Your turn

Write three sentences of your own that use this rule. You can use these phrases.

Can I…?
Could you…?
May I…?
be able to
managed to
Would you mind…?

Answer key

Can, Could, Be Able To

1. Choose the right answer

1.b) will be able to Can has no future form: will be able to.
2.a) were able to One particular success in the past: were able to.
3.a) can Casual permission: can.
4.b) been able to Can has no perfect form: have been able to.
5.b) could General ability in the past: could.

2. Correct the mistake

1.I was able to finish the report yesterday. For one particular success in the past, use was able to or managed to.
2.I will be able to help you tomorrow. Can has no future form: will be able to.
3.Can you help me? No to after can.

3. Your turn

Answers will vary. Check that each sentence follows the rule on page 1, or paste them into Clarigram to have them checked.

Can, Could, Be Able To worksheet

Level A2–B1
3 pages, A4
Answer key included

The rule as a picture, 5 multiple-choice questions, 3 sentences to correct and a short writing task. Free to print and copy for your class or for self-study.

Download PDF

Want the explanation first? Read the Can, Could, Be Able To lesson

Worksheet · Level A2–B1

Can, Could, Be Able To

NameDate

Could I ask you a question?

Could I…?

Could I…?: polite

1. Choose the right answer

Circle a or b.

1.
Next year I drive.a) will canb) will be able to
2.
The door was locked, but we get in through the window.a) were able tob) could
3.
Hey, I borrow your pen?a) canb) must
4.
I've never understand physics.a) couldb) been able to
5.
She play the piano when she was six.a) canb) could

2. Correct the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.

1.
I could finish the report yesterday.
2.
I will can help you tomorrow.
3.
Can you to help me?

3. Your turn

Write three sentences of your own that use this rule. You can use these phrases.

Can I…?
Could you…?
May I…?
be able to
managed to
Would you mind…?

Answer key

Can, Could, Be Able To

1. Choose the right answer

1.b) will be able to Can has no future form: will be able to.
2.a) were able to One particular success in the past: were able to.
3.a) can Casual permission: can.
4.b) been able to Can has no perfect form: have been able to.
5.b) could General ability in the past: could.

2. Correct the mistake

1.I was able to finish the report yesterday. For one particular success in the past, use was able to or managed to.
2.I will be able to help you tomorrow. Can has no future form: will be able to.
3.Can you help me? No to after can.

3. Your turn

Answers will vary. Check that each sentence follows the rule on page 1, or paste them into Clarigram to have them checked.