Be able to
описывает возможность в конкретной ситуации, а не постоянный навык.

  • I can speak Spanish. (общая способность)
  • I’m able to speak to the manager now. (возможность в данной ситуации)
Exercise 1. Complete the sentences with the correct form of be able to (Present Simple)

  1. I ______ talk right now. I’m in a meeting.
  2. She ______ join us today because she has another appointment.
  3. We ______ finish the task today. We have enough time.
  4. ______ you able to stay after work today?
  5. My manager ______ meet you this afternoon.
  6. He ______ answer the phone at the moment. He’s driving.
  7. ______ your colleagues able to help us today?
  8. The doctor ______ see you now.
  9. Why ______ she able to leave work early today?
  10. ______ I able to use your printer for a minute?
CHECK ANSWERS
  1. am not able to
  2. isn’t able to
  3. are able to
  4. Are
  5. is able to
  6. isn’t able to
  7. Are
  8. is able to
  9. is
  10. Am
Exercise 2. Complete the sentences using can or am / is / are able to.

  1. We ______ meet you today. Our afternoon is free.
  2. My sister ______ play chess very well.
  3. I ______ answer the phone right now. I’m driving.
  4. Tom ______ swim 2,000 metres without stopping.
  5. ______ you able to stay after the lesson today?
  6. My grandparents ______ use a computer.
  7. She ______ come to the meeting today. She’s on holiday.
  8. I ______ cook Italian food.
  9. The doctor ______ see you now.
  10. My children ______ ride their bikes.
CHECK ANSWERS
  1. are able to
  2. can
  3. am not able to
  4. can
  5. Are
  6. can
  7. isn’t able to
  8. can
  9. is able to
  10. can
Exercise 3. Complete the sentences with the correct form of be able to (Past Simple).

  1. We ______ finish the report yesterday.
  2. ______ she able to come to the meeting yesterday?
  3. I ______ open the window because it was stuck.
  4. They ______ find the hotel without a map.
  5. He ______ answer the phone because he was driving.
  6. ______ you able to talk to your manager yesterday?
  7. My friends ______ get tickets for the concert.
  8. She ______ use her computer because it wasn’t working.
  9. ______ the doctor able to see you yesterday?
  10. I ______ leave work early because my boss said yes.
CHECK ANSWERS
  1. were able to
  2. Was
  3. wasn’t able to
  4. were able to
  5. wasn’t able to
  6. Were
  7. were able to
  8. wasn’t able to
  9. Was
  10. was able to
Exercise 4. Exercise. Complete the sentences using could, couldn’t, was able to or were able to.

  1. My grandfather ______ fix almost anything when he was younger.
  2. The shop was still open, so we ______ buy some milk.
  3. It was very dark, but I ______ find my keys.
  4. When Lucy was five, she ______ read simple books.
  5. Tom broke his leg, so he ______ walk to school for several weeks.
  6. We missed the first bus, but we ______ catch the next one.
  7. When I lived in Italy, I ______ understand a little Italian.
  8. Sarah lost her phone, but she ______ call her parents from her friend’s phone.
  9. My sister ______ swim when she was six.
  10. The door was locked, but Dad ______ open it.
CHECK ANSWERS
  1. could
  2. were able to
  3. was able to
  4. could
  5. couldn’t
  6. were able to
  7. could
  8. was able to
  9. could
  10. was able to
Can or will be able to?
На самом деле can вполне может относиться к будущему, если речь идет о договоренности, расписании или возможности, которая уже существует.
Например:
  • I can meet you tomorrow.
  • We can come on Friday.
  • She can call you later.

Используйте will be able to, когда возможность появится только в будущем или зависит от какого-то условия.
  • I’ll be able to help you tomorrow.
  • She’ll be able to drive after the course.
  • We’ll be able to meet next week.
Exercise5. Complete the sentences using can or will be able to.

  1. When Tom gets his driving licence, he ______ drive to work.
  2. Sarah ______ speak English and French.
  3. We ______ start the lesson now. Everyone is here.
  4. After the meeting, I ______ talk to you.
  5. My brother ______ cook very well.
  6. When the doctor arrives, he ______ see you.
  7. I ______ help you now. I’m free.
  8. We’ll get the keys tomorrow, so we ______ move into the new flat.
  9. After the lesson, you ______ understand these grammar rules.
  10. She ______ answer the phone at the moment.
CHECK ANSWERS
  1. will be able to
  2. can
  3. can
  4. will be able to
  5. can
  6. will be able to
  7. can
  8. will be able to
  9. will be able to
  10. can