Unit 26 Can, could and (be) able to ‘We use can to say that something is possible or allowed, or that somebody has the ability 10 do something, We use can + infinitive (can do / can see etc.): 1 We can see the lake from our bedroom window. © ‘Thaven’t got a pen.’ “You can use mine.’ 1 Can you speak any foreign languages? G Tecan come and see you tomorrow if you like. © The word ‘play’ can be a noun or a verb, ‘The negative is can’t (= cannot): i P'm afraid I can’t’come to the party on Friday. You can say that somebody is able to do something, but can is more usual: © We are able to see the lake from our bedroom window. Bur can has only two forms: can (present) and could (past). So sometimes it is necessary to use (be) able to. Compare: # © Lcantt sleep. 5 Thaven't been able to sleep recently. © Tom can come tomorrow. = Tom might be able to come tomorrow. © Maria can speak French, Spanish and © Applicants for the job must be able to English. speak two foreign languages. Could Sometimes could is the past of can, We use could especially with: see hear smell taste feel remember —_understand 1D We had a lovely room in the hotel. We could see the lake. 2 As soon as I walked into the room, I could smell gas. 5 I was sitting at the back of the theatre and couldn't hear very well. We also use could to say that somebody had the general abili © My grandfather could speak five languages. 13 We were totally free. We could do what we wanted. or permission to do something: we were allowed to do) Could and was able to We use could for general ability. But if you want to say that somebody did something in a specific situation, use washwere able to or managed to (not could): © The fire spread through the building very quickly, but fortunately everybody was able to escape / managed to escape. (not could escape) 10 We didn’t know where David was, but we managed to find / were able to find him in the end. (not could find) Compare: Cl Mike was an excellent tennis player when he was younger. He could beat anybody. (= he had the general ability to beat anybody) but Mike and Pete played tennis yesterday. Pete played very well, but Mike managed to beat him, (= he managed to beat him in this particular game) ‘The negative couldn’t (could not) is possible in all situations: © My grandfather couldn't swim. 3 We looked for David everywhere, but we couldn't find him. © Pete played well, but he couldn't beat Mike. Could (do) and could have (done) > Unit 27 Must and can't Unit 28 Can/could you ... ? —* Unit 37Exercises Unit 26 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 Complete the sentences using can or (be) able to. Use can if possible; otherwise use (be) able to. 1 Gary has travelled a lor. He ..°42... speak five languages. 2 Thaven’e ..been able. to. sleep very well recently. 3 Nivole ase ... drive, but she hasn’t got a car. 4 Lused to . stand on my head, but I can’t do it now. 5 I can’t understand Martin. I've never none understand him. 6 Ican’t see you on Friday, but I. meet you on Saturday morning, Ask Catherine about your problem. She might... Snsmnn help you. Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets. 1 (something you used to be able to do) | used. to be able to sing well. (something you used to be able ro do) used (something you would Id 4 (something you have never been able to do) Tve oo : Sra w Complete the sentences with can/can't/could/couldn't + the followi come eat hear run _—sleep_— wait 1 I'm afraid I ..c47t. come... co your party next week. 2 When Tim was 16, he . - 100 metres in 11 seconds. 3 ‘Are you ina hurry?” "No, P've got plenty of tiM€. 1 oeengomeennnee 4 was feeling sick yesterday anything. 5 Can you speak a little louder? I sass fou very well. 6 "You look tired.” "YS, Veen last night.” Complete the answers to the questions with was/were able to . 1: Did everybody escape from the fire? Yes, although the fire spread quickly, everybody ..1uas. able. to escape a Did you finish your work this afternoon? Yes, there was nobody to disturb me, so 1. Did you have-difficulty finding our house? ‘ot really. Your directions were good and we os - 4 A: Did the thief get away? &: Yes. No-one realised what was happening and the thief Complete the sentences using could, couldn't or managed to. 1 My grandfather travelled a lor. He ...<24\4.... speak five languages. 2 [looked everywhere for the book, but I ..culdn't._ find it 3. They didn’t want to come with us at first, but we ...anaged.. 0... persuade them. 4 Laura had hurt her leg and somunens Walk very well. 5 Sue wasn’t at home shen | phone but I -nownnnnnee CONKACE her at her office. 6 Llooked very carefully and 1. ues See somebody in the distance. T wanted to buy some tomatoes. The firse shop I went ro didn’t have any, but I get some in the next shop. 8 My grandmother loved music. She ... : ~. play the piano very well. 9 A girl ell into the river, bur fortunately We -nenennnnnnnnnnnnn FeSCUC her 10 Thad forgotten to bring my camera, s0 1 ---vvesnune take any photographs. 53