We use can to talk about present We use could to talk about past

abilities. abilities.
My sister can play the violin very well. When he was younger, David could swim very
well.
I can’t speak French.
Maria couldn’t read and write when she was
Lisa can sing beautifully.
four.

Fill in the blanks with can / can’t / could / couldn’t.

David has got a broken leg. Albert was ill last week. Tom is very good at sports.
can’t
He ……………….……. walk. couldn’t
He ...................... go to school. can
He ………………….… play tennis well.

could
My cousin is really talented. Julia …………..…. draw nice Tim has a problem with his eyes.
can
He ……………… make puppets. pictures when she was child. can’t
He ………….…… see without glasses.

Joe is a fat boy. Adam went fishing yesterday When she was in primary school,
can’t
He……………….. run fast. couldn’t. catch a big fish.
and he............... could play the drum.
she ……….

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 George is very good at Maths. Can
…………………. you skate? Clara was very sad yesterday,
can
He …………….. solve every problem. can
Yes, I …………………… couldn’t pass her exam.
as she ……………..…

I am a bad cook. He was so stressed yesterday It isn’t windy enough.

can’t even make an omlet te.
I ………….. couldn’t find his mum.
as he ……….………. can’t
She ………………. fly a kite.

Martin is an excellent detective. When Brian was too young, he Barbara’s hair is too short.
He …………….
can find criminals easily. couldn’t
……….. go out without his mother. can’t
She …………………. fasten it.

The apple was so big that David is an athletic boy. couldn’t enter the house,
They ……..………
couldn’t
I ……………………… finish it. can
He ………………… do a handstand. because they were too dirty.

Can
……………………. John read? No, he could
Martin …..…………. drive when he
He is a bookworm.
can finish a book in a day. can't His sister reads for him.
…………… was young, but now he can.
He …………..

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