Can, Could, Able to Exercise

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

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.

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

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

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

The experts say that everyone _________ learn another language.

Will you ________ (able) come to my wedding?

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

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

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

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

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

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

__________ (able) reserve a table at the restaurant?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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