Изучаем English Unit 26. Can, could and (be) able to.
Unit 26; Part A
We use can to say that something is possible or allowed, or that somebody has the ability to do something. We use can + infinitive (can do / can see etc.):
• We can see the lake from our bedroom window.
• \'I haven\'t got a pen.\' \'You can use mine.\'
• Can you speak any foreign languages?
• I can 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\'m afraid I can\'t come to the party on Friday.
Unit 26; Part B
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.
But can has only two forms: can (present) and could (past). So sometimes it is necessary to use (be) able to. Compare:
| • I can\'t sleep. • Tom can come tomorrow. • Maria can speak French, Spanish and English. | • I haven\'t been able to sleep recently. • Tom might be able to come tomorrow. • Applicants for the job must be able to speak two foreign languages. |
Unit 26; Part C
CouldSometimes could is the past of can. We use could especially with:
see hear smell taste feel remember understand
• We had a lovely room in the hotel. We could see the lake.
• As soon as I walked into the room, I could smell gas.
• 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 ability or permission to do something:
• My grandfather could speak five languages.
• We were totally free. We could do what we wanted. (= we were allowed to do)
Unit 26; Part D
Could and was able toWe use could for general ability. But if you want to say that somebody did something in a specific situation, use was/were 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)
• We didn\'t know where David was, but we managed to find / were able to find him in the end. (not could find)
Compare:
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.
• We looked for David everywhere, but we couldn\'t find him.
• Pete played well, but he couldn\'t beat Mike.
Exercises
Complete the sentences using can or (be) able to. Use can if possible; otherwise use (be) able to.Key.3 can
4 be able to
5 been able to
6 can
7 be able to
1 Gary has travelled a lot. He can speak five languages.
2 I haven\'t been able to sleep very well recently.
3 Nicole ___________ drive, but she hasn\'t got a car.
4 I used to ___________ stand on my head, but I can\'t do it now.
5 I can\'t understand Martin. I\'ve never ___________ understand him.
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.
Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets.Key.Example answers:
2 I used to be able to run fast.
3 I\'d like to be able to play the piano.
4 I\'ve never been able to get up early.
1 (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 _________________________
Complete the sentences with can/can\'t/could/couldn\'t + the following:Key.2 could run
3 can wait
4 couldn\'t eat
5 can\'t hear
6 couldn\'t sleep
2 When Tim was 16, 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 a little louder? I ____________ you very well.
6 \'You look tired.\' \'Yes, I ____________ last night.\'
Complete the answers to the questions with was/were able to ... .Key.2 was able to finish it
3 were able to find it
4 was able to get away
1 A: Did everybody escape from the fire?
B: Yes, although the fire spread quickly, everybody was able to escape
2 A: Did you finish your work this afternoon?
B: Yes, there was nobody to disturb me, so I _______________________________
3 A: Did you have-difficulty finding our house?
B: Not really. Your directions were good and we _______________________________
4 A: Did the thief get away?
B: Yes. No-one realised what was happening and the thief _______________________________
Complete the sentences using could, couldn\'t or managed to.Key.4 couldn\'t
5 managed to
6 could
7 managed to
8 could
9 managed to
10 couldn\'t
1 My grandfather travelled a lot. 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 managed 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 somebody in the distance.
7 I wanted to buy some tomatoes. The first shop I went to 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 fell into the river, but fortunately we _________ rescue her.
10 I had forgotten to bring my camera, so I _________ take any photographs.
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