Can, Could, Able to Exercise

When we were young, we used ________ (to be able to / can) play football on the street. There are too many cars to do that now.

We __________ (weren't able to / couldn't) do the English exercises. They were too difficult.

__________ (able) reserve a table at the restaurant?

I'm sorry that I _________ (not / able) to come to the theatre with you last night.

He ________ (wasn't able to / couldn't) speak to her because she wasn't there.

What famous man __________ (wasn't able to / couldn't) speak until he was 3 years old? Winston Churchill!

It was very hard for her to remember the past and she _________ (wasn't able to / couldn't) tell us what happened.

The doctor _________ (able) see you right now. He has another appointment.

Is this sentence true or false? Although we use can for ability, we use the form to be able to for particular situations (i.e. to manage or finally succeed).

I'm much better now. I should ________ (be able to / can) walk in a couple of days.

When I go to Malta next month, I _______ (able) practise my English.

I looked in every shop for some new shoes. Finally, I ________ (was able to / could) find some in the very last shop.!

He's very happy now that he ________ (has been able to / could) find a new job. He starts tomorrow.

He ________ (could / was able to) speak before learned how to walk.

I _________ (not / able) make dinner yet. The baby hasn't stopped crying.

I'm very tired. I _________ (haven't been able to / couldn't) sleep recently.

It was a very difficult football match. But, in the end, we ________ (were able to/could) beat the other team.

We need someone who _________ (can / is able to) speak English very well.

I _________ (not / able) accept the job because it was too far away.

Now that she has lived in her own apartment for the last 3 months, she _________ (is able to / can) cook really well.

I forgot to bring my phone so, I ________ (wasn't able to / couldn't) phone you.

_________ (I can't / I'm not able to) call him because my telephone is out of battery. I need to charge it.

We ___________ (haven't been able to / could) go on holiday this year. We don't have enough money.

You need _______ (able) swim if you want to go diving.

Have you spoken to Jane yet? No, her mobile must be switched off. I _______ to able to talk to her yet.

Is this sentence true or false? You can use couldn't for all the same situations as wasn't able to.

Is this sentence true or false? The structure to be able to is more formal or polite than can.

Although the boat caught fire, everyone _______ (was able to/could) escape.

We will be on holiday next month so we ________ (not / able) go to your party.

She ________ (not / able) to walk since she was 10 months old.

Is this sentence true or false? We use can or could for ability (i.e. knowledge to do something) more often than we use to be able to.

The experts say that everyone _________ learn another language.

She __________ (not / able) do any shopping because she forgot her money.

Will you ________ (able) come to my wedding?

I've always wanted __________ (able) speak another language.

Fortunately, the police _________ (able) rescue the family that was trapped in the car.