CAN / COULD / BE ABLE TO

Read these sentences about your

teacher.
• She cannot play a musical instrument.
• She could swim when she was about
five.
• One day she will be able to speak
French correctly.
• She has never been able to ride a
motorbike (she’s too short!).
 Complete the chart with a form of
can when possible
Present simple

Past simple

Future (will)

Present perfect

Gerund (-ing)

Infinitive (To)
• We use can/could to say that something is
/ was possible or that someone has/had
the ability to do something.
“Susan Boyle can sing very well.”

• We use “be able to” when there’s no form

of can (e.g. the present perfect).
“Susan Boyle hasn’t been able to record a
CD.”
 Complete these sentences:
1. If we get up early, we’ll to
catch the train.
2. Mozart play the piano
when he was five.
3. She hasn’t find a
job yet.
4. I’d love speak
English fluently.