Can, could and be able to: talking about ability ‘We sometimes use be able to instead of can and could to talk about ability. However, we avoid be able co ~ ‘when we talk about something that is happening as we speak: 1 Watch me, Mum; I can stand on one leg. (not ...1'm able to stand on one leg.) + before passives: 1 CDs can now be copied easily. (rather than CDs are now able to be copied. + when the meaning is “know how to” 1 Gan you cook? (rather than Are you able to cook?) IE we talk about a single achievement, rather than a general ability inthe past, we usually use be able to rather than could. Compare: 10 Sue could play the flute quite well. (or ..was able to..3 2 general ability) and 12 She swam strongly and was able to cross the river easly, even though it was swollen by the heavy rain. (not She swam strongly and could cross... a specific achievement) However, could is usually more natural ~ “in negative sentences: 10 Ltried to get up but I couldn't move. (rather than «1 wasn't able to move.) + with verbs of the senses ~ e.g. feel, hear, see, smell, taste ~ and with verbs of thinking” = c. believe, decide, remember, understand: © L could remember the crash, but nothing after that. (rater than I was able to remember. % alter the phrases the only thing/place/time, and afterall when it means ‘the only thing’ 1 All we could see were his fect. (rather than All we were able to...) “% t0 suggest that something almost didn’t happen, particularly with almost, hardly, just, nearly: (1 eould nearly touch the ceiling. (rather than I was nearly able t Can and could: talking about possibility ‘To talk about the theoretical possibilty of something happening we use could, not can. However, ‘we use can, not could, to say that something is possible and actually happens. Compare: 1D It could be expensive to keep a cat. (= if we had one, it could or it may not be expensive) and 10 It can be expensive to keep a cat. (= it can be, and it sometimes is) ‘We use can't, not couldn't, to say that something is theoretically or actually impossible: 10 There can't be many people in the world who haven't watched television. 10 The doctor can't see you this morning; he's busy at the hospital. ‘We use can to indicate that there is a very real possibilty ofa future event happening, Using could suggests that something isles likely or that there is some doubt about it. Compare: (© We can stay with Jim in Oslo. (= we will be able to stay) and (© We could stay with Jim in Oslo. (= is possible; if he's there) Could and be allowed to: talking about permission “To say that in the past someone had general permission to do something ~ that is, to do it at any time ~ we can use either could or was/were allowed to. However, 0 talk about permission for one particular past action, we use was/were allowed to, but not could. Compare: (© Anyone was allowed to fishin the lake when the council owned it (or ...could fish...) and © Although he didn’t have a ticket, Ken was allowed to come in. (not ...could come in.) In negative sentences, we can use either coulda’t or wasn'vweren’ allowed to to say that permission was not given in general or particular situations: © We couldn'/weren’ allowed to open the presents until Christmas morning. Grammar review: can, could —» C1-C4; be ale to -» C5-C6; be allowed to -» ¢7Exercises Unit 15 15.1. Underline the correct or more natural answer. If both answers are possible, underline them both, (wee) ‘Valuables can/ are able to be left in the hotel safe, Pease ask at the reception desk. We could/ were able to finish the football match before it started snowing roo heavily. The rebels could? were able to draw on the support of over 20,000 soldiers Could you! Were you able to understand Professor Larsen's lecture? I found it really difficult. “Do you want a game?" ‘Sorry, | can't/‘m not able to play chess.” Look at me, I can! 'm able to ride my bike without any help. ‘When the fire officers arrived they could! were able to put out the flames in a couple of minutes. The air was so polluted in the city centre, I could hardly! was hardly able to breathe. ‘knew John had been smoking. I could/ was able fo smell the cigarettes when I came into the 10 Can you/ Are you able to drive without your glasses? 11 No changes can/ are able to be made to this rail ticket after purchase. 12 He could/ was able to untie the ropes without the guards noticing, 13 She looked all over the house, but couldn't/ wasn't able to find her keys anywhere. 14 was very busy at work, but I could/ was able 10 have a couple of days off last week. 152 Complete these texts with can, could and be allowed to. Use negative forms where necessary. Where two answers are possible, give them both. (A-E) We went camping in the north of Spain last July. As you probably know, it « rain a lot on the coast, even in mid-summer, and the day we artived we (2) believe how heavy the rain was. Eventually we found ‘place to camp, in afield next to a beach. We had a new tent ~ the advertisement for it said, ‘This tent (3) bbe assembled in two minutes with no previous experience.’ What a joke! Now, there (4) be many people who haven't had difficulty putting up a tent at some time, but it took us ‘more than two hours. And then, just as it was finished, a man came along and said that we (6) ‘camp there — it was private property. So we had to take the tent down again. Then Sue just said, ‘Well, we (6) stay here all night. Let's go to that hotel in the last village we drove through.’ Unfortunately, when we got there they were full. But they were very kind and we (7) ‘camp at the end of their garde Its often said that sports coaches (1)... be strict, but athlete Peter Black's ‘was incredibly hard on him in the year before the Olympic Games. For instance, Peter Q) -.._. stay up later than 9.00, although on his birthday he (3) watch television until 10,00 as it was a special occasion! Of course, all Peter @ ‘think of was going out with his friends in the evening, and he 6) ‘hardly wait for the Games to finish and get back to a normal life. When he complained, his coach just said, “Trust me and you'll win gold = you (6) =~ lose! And his coach was right. He won a gold medal in the 400 metres in a world record rae oad pp ie labo seit Poses (7) ‘celebrate ~ by staying up until 11 o'clock! “But no later; said his coach. “The World Championships are only two. years away? 31can, could and be able to: ability ‘When we say that someone or something has or doesn’t have the ability to do something, we can use ean(t) (or cannot) (for the present) oF coulda’) (lo + He eam analyse people's handweiting. + the past): We can't afford to pay the bill, Anita could speak three Languages before she was six. We can use be able (0 instead of ean/could to talk about an ability that someone has or had: ‘+ Helen can / is able to read well, even though she's only three. + He could / was able to draw on the support of ever 20,000 troops. In general, we use be able to when we talk about a specific achievement (particularly if it is dificult, requiring some effort) rather than a general ability. Study this table: general ability specific achievement present | We prefer ean (but ean also use be | We prefer be able to (but can also use can): able to) He has now recovered from his injury + _ He can speak Spanish and is able to drive again past | We prefer could (but can also use be | We use be able to (not could): able to}: + After only six months, Suzanne could play the violin quite well. Jenny was able to leave the hospital coly six hours after the baby was born, However, we commonly use can or could, even when we are talking about specific occasions, With verbs ofthe senses, fed, hear, see, smell, taste, and with verbs of ‘thinking’, eg. believe, fe le, remember, understand: + Tean't decide where to go for my holidays. © She could feel the spray on her face as the boat raced through the water e >) We don’t use be able to when we talk about something that Js happening as we are speaking before be + past participle: FT 3 olgy + This furniture eam be assembled by anyone, with just a screwdriver We use be able to, not can or could, ifthe idea we want to express needs a to-infintive, an ing form, or a perfect tense, or if'it follows another modal verb: + We were very lucky 10 he able to live in the country during our childhood, + twas awful, not bei ble to see you for so long, + Since he le, none ofthe other team members have been able to match his enthusiasm: + We may be able to move some of the staf to a diferent department, We use willbe able fo, not ean, to say that something will be possible in the future: However, when we make a decision now about something in the future, We use ea ‘You ean go home when you've finished writing your compositi Canarctoouttpss the snow ies on like this, very ew people willbe abe to get to the concert + When the new road is built, Ibe able to drive to work in under halfan hour. + Perhaps we eam meet next week iy > EY | Cnardoould pamecinarwotos:= EYa unr EXERCISES 22 Choose can, could arbe able to (or negative forms) to complete these sentences. Ifrwo answers are possible write them both and underline the more likely one. (A, B & C) 1 Peter has a computerthat....fit into his jacket pocket. 2 Thad some fee time yesterday, s0 L write afew letters. 3 From where we're standing, this land belongs to me for as far as you. see. 4 My teacher's given me a translation to do for homework, but 1 understand it 5 Watch this, Mum; 1 ‘stand on one leg 6 "When's Megan’s birthday?” ‘As far as 1 remember, its in June, 7 The plans were destroyed before they be read by the invading army. 8 Until you repay some of your present debt, we cannot lend you any more money. 9) The game. be played by up to six people.’ (rom the insirutions for a board game) 10 When T was younger I was hopeless at sports. 1 throw or kick a ball properly. Complete these sentences with could or was/were able to. In one ofeach pair you can use either, s0 write them both. In the other it is more appropriate only to use was/were able to. (B) 1 a Despite yesterday's snowals, we drive home in less than an hour. Tonly lived a mile from the office and. ‘drive to work in les than an hour. 2 a When she was the manager of the company she ‘ake holidays when she wanted to. Tas very busy at work, but 1 take a short holiday over Christmas. 3alnthe létheentury, fishermen smuggle wine into the country without fear of being caught by the authorities. b Bennett smuggle the knife on board the plane without being detected by the security system, Complete these sentences with can followed by one ofthe verbs below. Ifitis inappropriate to tse can, use a form ofbe able to instead. (D) count fine give investigate meet’ pul forward start. work 1 Wedon't scom to be able tofind. yourletterinourfiles 2 You ‘on me to help with the party. 3 You ‘me a call at home. 44 The builders said that they might work today. 5 When the satellite is launched next week, scientists the rings around Satur in tore detail than ever before. 6 dou that he again; his injuries are so sever. 7. We were relised our request, without even our arguments 5 We outside the cinema, iFtha’s okay with you44 Ability: can, could and be able to A. Can and can't Vicky: How many instruments ean you play, Natasha? Natasa: Three he vieln the clarinet and the piano. Vicky: That's tori. You haven got a piano here. hough Natasa: No, but eam go 10 the music roam in college and play the one in there Vicky: Fe nat musical a all can't even sing We use eam say that something is possible that somoune has an ability (Natasha ear play the piano) cr an pportenity (She con go othe music room. Canis usally pronounced but sorctimes we say «The negative is cannot orcan't. B Can and be able to bn the preset tens, be able tis ite more formal and less usual thn eam. ‘Emma s good wih computers. She can writes able wrt programs. But in some structures we always use beable fo, not can. Tovinfinitve: ‘tsnicew be able to go tthe opera, (OTe) -Aflera modal vrts Melanie might be ale 1 help us Present perfect I's been uit tay. ve bem able og some work done, For the fuure we use ea or will beable to but sor wil-can, ‘fwe earn some money, we can gufvel be able to x9 on holiday next summer. Tm afrai ean’ come/! wont be able to come the discoon Fnday. But to suggest pessble Futur action, we nonmally use eam. ‘Lets havelunch ogethr. We can goo tht new restaurant. C Could and was/were able to For ability ox oppoctunity in th past, We use could or was/nere able ta. Natasha could play (ca was able play the piano when she was fou {In hase days wehad aca, s9 we could ravel were able 19 travel) Yery easy “Tosay that the abilty or opporuinity elt ins particular action something that relly heppened wet wrawiwere abl to but not could. Theplancwar able to take off at ven otlack after the fog had lied. Luctly Mark was ableto get (OR siccceed in geting) the work dane time. Thedrivers were abletw sop (oR managed 1 sop before Hey crashed iy each oder: ‘Compare these two sentences. The children could swim when they were ute The chien were ale to ovim cro he ive. ‘young (a pact ably) (a pastacion) Innegative sentences and questions, we can use cither form. Irwas| “fox, 50 ie plane couldn wasn Yablew tke of. The pool was closed. 50 they couldn weren't abl to have assim. Could you/Were ‘yo able te describe the manta the police? ‘Wenormally use could (sot wavwereableto) with verbs of seeing, and wit vets of thinking We ‘oul see the village inthe distance As soon as Harriet opened the door, she could smell gas. couldn't understand wha: was happening.44 Exercises > econ wo on his hans 41.Can and cant (A) “Look athe pictures and say what they can orca do, Use these words lib trees, use, lithe weigh, ply the voi, walk on his hands 2 Can and be able to (B) Harriet is ising David, who hurt hinself when he fll fF a adder. Complcte the conversation using can oF fer of be abet. Somat thee ore than oe posible answer. Marriet_ Hello, Dad. Tm sory havent (B) heen able to come (come) an Se you before Tye bee realy busy lately. How ae you? Dovid: Pm OK, tanks (1). (1/ wall) around now. “The destorsays(2) (17 go) back 19 work soon, Wi be nice B) nena “(get out again. I hate being stuck bere like this. Ihave, (de) anything interesting, 3 Could and was/were able to (C) > Which i closer tothe meaning of the sentence "Years ago I could run a marathon"? 2) Iran a marathon atone particular time inthe pest. 1) Iwas once fit enoagh tu avery long way ‘Which of tse seetace is comet? {was ol coulda goto the pay. {was so vase? abe to goo te pany 1) Only he firs one.) Only the second one. €) Both of them. [Which is closer to the meaning ofthe sentence 'Serah was abe to leave work cary yesterday"? 1) Sarah Left wort early yesterday. 1) Sarah had the opportunity to leave work eatly yesterday, but we dont know i she took i 4 Could and wasiwere able to (C) Pt in could or wasvere able o, Sometimes eter is posible. Use a negative if ncessary > Suukenl all the Hights went ou. We cou sce a thing 1 3 4 5 The computer went wrong bat lukily Emma. putt right again. “There was bg pany ast ight. You. bear the music haifa mile away, ‘ear t ec music 8 acid ead it when Iwas five. People head warnings about the Dood, and hey rove out ia time Theta SFL enone find a sen anynbers,Modal awieres 34 Ability: can, could, be able * Can (present or futute) and could (past) refer to a general ability to do something. Can is also used to refer to an ability to do something specific at a time in the future: She can sing really well ean come and see you next week. Fean’t swim so I won't come to the pool with yon. He could read when he was four. Feouldn’t understand the language when I first came here. * Can and could refer to the ability to do something, but not to the doing of it. We use can or be able to talk about ability Will you be able t0/Can you come on Saturday? ‘My parents tive quite a distance away so we're not able to/ean't see them very often. He had a motorbike accident at the age of eighteen and after that he wasn't able to/couldn’t walk. ‘We use be able to talk about ability + achievement of the action: Jan gave me a lift home so I was able to stay at the party tll late. We got lost but we were able to find our way home again with the map. © We use will be able and not can to talk about skills that will be acquired in the future: PIL be able to drive by next summer so we can hire a car. Will you be able to read textbooks in German when you've finished this course? © We use can + be + adjective or noun to talk about possibility: The sea can be quite warm in September./The sea is sometimes quite warm in September. She can be very charming when she wants to be. © We use be able for different grammatical forms that are not possible with can’ I like being able to work at home. We'd like to be able to help you but we can't. ve been able to work much faster since I got that new computer. + We use can, could and could have in conditional sentences. We also use them in sentences with an implied condition: can help you if you want me to Teould do it if Thad the time. You could do that job easity. (if you had that job) Teoutdn’t have done it if Thadn’t had your help. Tcould have got here earlier but { didn’t know you were waiting. (T-could have got here earlier if I had known you were waiting.) 97Modal ures 98 Practice 34 Complete the sentences with the correct form of can, could or be able. It it Js possible to use can/could or be able, use can/coutd. 1 Hes very fit for his age. He .cat.can. (run) really fast. 2. Vd like ta.be.able.to.werk. (work) with you one day. 3 He on comennennensss (MOL Climb) UP to the top: he was too scared. 4 If they hadn't phoned for an ambulance, he (aie). a (spend) all morning in bed at the weekends. 6 We (go) to that concert tomorrow if the tickets haven't sold out 7 [ think you should go in the spring: it (be) very crowded there in the summer. st . soon (ROt understand) what he says: he speaks too quickly. 9 Do you know where Nick's glasses ame? HE .nsmnnnennnnnnnsenn (not see) very much without them, . (speak) another language fluently is a great advantage when you're looking for a job. 0 HW Jonatha ..sonnnnnnnninnnnnsinnnsnnnnnnnene (HOLS) anything until he was about three years old. 12 We... {aot phone her up) because her phone had broken, but fortunately we (get) a message to her. 13 Amy's exam results weren't very good. She . (do) better. V4 Tce on (not sleep) very well for the last four nights. It's been too hot 15 She tried to think of other things but she .. (not put) that awful memory out of her mind, 16 You should... (go out) when you want to.17. Saturday’ . (you come) to the party on 181 just need more time to practise. s+ (tide) this bike soon: I 19 He doesn’t do very much when he’s here. He .. (be) more helpful, 201 few years ago, but not anymore. su (play) tennis really well a