□ Why did you stay at a hotel in New York? You could have stayed with Linda.
4. We often use can + verb in place of the simple present with the verbs of perception:
□ I can see a bird in that tree. (= I see)
□ Can you see it? (Do you see it?)
□ I looked up but couldn't see anything. (= didn't see)
□ I can smell something burning.
□ I can understand what he means.
□ I couldn't understand what he said.
□ I can't see anyone.
EXERCISES_____________________________________________________________
Ex. 1. (A, B) Explain the meaning of "can" (ability, permission, request, prohibition, possible action) in the following sentences.
1. She is unwell, she can't leave her room. 2. Can I smoke here, Mrs Right? 3. The teacher said they could all go home. 4. A policeman arrived and told him he couldn't park there. 5. My son is not in town; but he'll be here before long. - Can I give him any message? 6. We can discuss it now. 7.1 could never understand what made her behave as she did. 8. If you are tired you can lie on the sofa for a bit. 9. "Life," the old man said, "can only be understood when you are old. Now I see all the mistakes I could have avoided." 10. We are in charge of this great business. We cannot leave our responsibility to others. 11. He was surprised that she could paint so well. 12. She is not married though she could marry anybody she chose.
Ex. 2. (A, B) Fill in the spaces with "will be able to" or "will not (won't) be able to".
1. When her arm is better, she________ play the piano again. 2. I'm sorry, but I________
come to your birthday party next week. 3. He__________ eat everything when the doctor
allows him. 4. My sister_________ go out to dances until she is seventeen. 5. Why do you
sit at the back of the class if you can't hear well? You________ hear better if you sit in the
front. 6. I'm too busy to have a holiday this year, but I hope I_________ have a long holiday
next year. 7. The train leaves at five o'clock tomorrow morning. We___________ catch it if
we don't get up very early. 8. He was working very hard before he fell ill. He___________
work so hard when he comes out of hospital. 9. Perhaps one day we__________ travel to
the Moon. 10. She__________ wear her new dress when it is ready. 11. This is a very
difficult problem. I'm afraid you___________ solve it without help. 12. The doctor is very
busy; he_____ ., see any more patients today.
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Ex. 3. (В, С) Complete the following sentences using "could" or "was/were able to".
1. It was a fine day yesterday, so we________ have a picnic, and we enjoyed it very much.
2. He suddenly felt ill, but he_______ finish his speech, although at the end he could hardly
stand. 3. He spoke very little French when he left school, but he________ understand the
language. 4.1 gotto the station at 9.50 a.m. and_______ catch the 9.55 a.m. train. I was very
pleased I didn't have to wait for the next train. 5. He has always been good at Math's. But even
he________ solve this difficult problem. 6. The town was full of visitors, and we didn't know
where we would spend the night, but at last we________ find two vacant rooms in a small
hotel. 7. Before his illness, he_______ work fourteen hours a day if he had to. 8. He was very
strong; he_________ ski all day and dance all night. 9. I was a long way from the stage. I
________ see all right but I________ not hear very well. 10. We________ borrow umbrel
las, so we didn't get wet. 11. When the garage had repaired our car we___ continue our
journey. 12. When I arrived everyone was asleep. Fortunately I_______ wake my sister and
she let me in.
Ex. 4. (В, С) Translate the words in brackets.