Modals of Ability/Permission: Can, Could – English Grammar Exercises for A2
It is pouring rain outside, and you and your friends are stuck. You want to suggest feasible solutions to get home safely. Choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each suggestion.
1 “It is raining too heavily to walk. We ______ take a taxi home instead.”
(A) are can
(B) must
(C) can
(D) cans
2 “I have my large umbrella. We ______ share it to walk to the nearest bus stop.”
(A) can to
(B) can
(C) do can
(D) had to
3 “The street is flooded, but we ______ wait inside this coffee shop until the rain stops.”
(A) can
(B) are able
(C) couldn’t
(D) don’t can
4 “Don’t worry about the storm. My dad ______ drive us home if we call him.”
(A) must to
(B) can
(C) cans
(D) should to
5 “We ______ run to the subway station; it is only one block away from here.”
(A) can running
(B) do can
(C) must
(D) can
6 “If we don’t want to get our clothes wet, we ______ order an Uber using my phone.”
(A) can
(B) could to
(C) have
(D) cans
7 “I don’t have enough cash for a cab, but I ______ pay the driver with my credit card.”
(A) can to pay
(B) am can
(C) can
(D) couldn’t
8 “The buses are delayed because of the bad weather. However, we ______ walk to the train station.”
(A) must
(B) do can
(C) can
(D) cans
9 “Sarah’s house is very close to here. We ______ stay there for a little while.”
(A) should to
(B) can
(C) are can
(D) can to
10 “Look, the rain is stopping a little bit. We ______ leave right now if we walk fast.”
(A) can
(B) must to
(C) cans
(D) do can
11 “There are no empty taxis on the street, but we ______ try using the ride-hailing app.”
(A) can trying
(B) can
(C) couldn’t
(D) can to
12 “My older brother is working nearby. I ______ ask him to pick us up in his car.”
(A) am able
(B) cans
(C) must
(D) can
13 “We missed the last bus due to the heavy rain, but we ______ still catch the night train.”
(A) do can
(B) can
(C) have
(D) can to
14 “We don’t have raincoats, but we ______ buy some cheap umbrellas at that convenience store.”
(A) can
(B) don’t can
(C) are can
(D) should to
15 “I know we are stuck here, but we ______ always ask the restaurant manager to let us wait in the lobby.”
(A) cans
(B) must
(C) can
(D) could to
16 “Walking in this terrible storm is dangerous, but we ______ safely stay here and order some hot tea.”
(A) can
(B) have
(C) can staying
(D) do can
17 “Instead of walking in the freezing rain, we ______ just share a cab and split the cost.”
(A) are able
(B) can
(C) must to
(D) cans
18 “If the storm gets much worse, we ______ book a cheap motel room for the night.”
(A) don’t can
(B) could to
(C) must
(D) can
19 “We cannot walk home in this weather, but what we ______ do is call our parents for help.”
(A) can
(B) cans
(C) to can
(D) should to
20 “There is absolutely no way we are walking today. Alternatively, we ______ rent a car for a few hours.”
(A) do can
(B) must
(C) can to
(D) can
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) can
- Why it’s right: “Can” is the perfect modal verb to suggest a feasible solution or possibility in the present moment.
- Error Analysis: (A) are can is a Structural Error (you cannot combine the “to be” verb with a modal). (B) must is a Meaning Trap (it sounds like a strict obligation rather than a helpful suggestion). (D) cans is a Common Mistake (modals never take an “-s”).
2 (B) can
- Why it’s right: Suggests a practical option (sharing an umbrella).
- Error Analysis: (A) can to is a Structural Error (modals are followed by a bare infinitive, without “to”). (C) do can is a Common Mistake (adding an unnecessary auxiliary verb). (D) had to is a Meaning Trap (refers to a past obligation, not a present suggestion).
3 (A) can
- Why it’s right: Offers a viable choice for the group.
- Error Analysis: (B) are able is a Structural Error (missing “to”). (C) couldn’t is a Meaning Trap (negative past ability makes no sense when offering a present solution). (D) don’t can is a Common Mistake (wrong negative form).
4 (B) can
- Why it’s right: Indicates that the dad has the ability and it is a possible solution.
- Error Analysis: (A) must to is a Structural Error. (C) cans is a Common Mistake. (D) should to is a Structural Error (should doesn’t take “to”).
5 (D) can
- Why it’s right: States a possible action the group can take.
- Error Analysis: (A) can running is a Structural Error (modals take the base verb, not V-ing). (B) do can is a Common Mistake. (C) must is a Meaning Trap (too forceful for a simple suggestion).
6 (A) can
- Why it’s right: Suggests a modern, practical solution.
- Error Analysis: (B) could to is a Structural Error. (C) have is a Meaning Trap (missing “to”, and changes meaning to obligation). (D) cans is a Common Mistake.
7 (C) can
- Why it’s right: Shows that paying by card is an available option.
- Error Analysis: (A) can to pay is a Structural Error. (B) am can is a Structural Error. (D) couldn’t is a Meaning Trap (wrong tense and negative meaning).
8 (C) can
- Why it’s right: Suggesting an alternative route (train instead of bus).
- Error Analysis: (A) must is a Meaning Trap (sounds like an order). (B) do can is a Common Mistake. (D) cans is a Common Mistake.
9 (B) can
- Why it’s right: Proposing a safe place to wait out the rain.
- Error Analysis: (A) should to is a Structural Error. (C) are can is a Structural Error. (D) can to is a Structural Error.
10 (A) can
- Why it’s right: Recognizing an opportunity to act right now.
- Error Analysis: (B) must to is a Structural Error. (C) cans is a Common Mistake. (D) do can is a Common Mistake.
11 (B) can
- Why it’s right: Suggesting a backup plan.
- Error Analysis: (A) can trying is a Structural Error (using V-ing). (C) couldn’t is a Meaning Trap. (D) can to is a Structural Error.
12 (D) can
- Why it’s right: Offering a personal connection as a solution.
- Error Analysis: (A) am able is a Structural Error (missing “to”). (B) cans is a Common Mistake. (C) must is a Meaning Trap.
13 (B) can
- Why it’s right: Highlighting a remaining possibility after a failure.
- Error Analysis: (A) do can is a Common Mistake. (C) have is a Meaning Trap (missing “to”). (D) can to is a Structural Error.
14 (A) can
- Why it’s right: Proposing a quick purchase to solve the problem.
- Error Analysis: (B) don’t can is a Common Mistake. (C) are can is a Structural Error. (D) should to is a Structural Error.
15 (C) can
- Why it’s right: The phrase “we can always…” is a very natural English chunk used to suggest a reliable last resort.
- Error Analysis: (A) cans is a Common Mistake. (B) must is a Meaning Trap. (D) could to is a Structural Error.
16 (A) can
- Why it’s right: Suggesting the safest, most comfortable option.
- Error Analysis: (B) have is a Meaning Trap. (C) can staying is a Structural Error (no V-ing after modals). (D) do can is a Common Mistake.
17 (B) can
- Why it’s right: Proposing a shared solution.
- Error Analysis: (A) are able is a Structural Error (needs “to”). (C) must to is a Structural Error. (D) cans is a Common Mistake.
18 (D) can
- Why it’s right: Suggesting an extreme but possible solution if things get worse.
- Error Analysis: (A) don’t can is a Common Mistake. (B) could to is a Structural Error. (C) must is a Meaning Trap.
19 (A) can
- Why it’s right: “What we can do is…” is an excellent A2/B1 structure to introduce a helpful idea.
- Error Analysis: (B) cans is a Common Mistake. (C) to can is a Structural Error. (D) should to is a Structural Error.
20 (D) can
- Why it’s right: Providing an alternative choice (“Alternatively, we can…”).
- Error Analysis: (A) do can is a Common Mistake. (B) must is a Meaning Trap (it takes away the feeling of a “choice”). (C) can to is a Structural Error.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- “Can” for Possibilities & Solutions: While “can” is famously used for physical abilities (e.g., I can swim), it is equally important for suggesting feasible solutions to problems. When you say “We can take a taxi,” you are not just saying you have the physical ability to sit in a car; you are offering it as a smart, available choice to solve the problem of the rain.
- No “S”, No “To”: Remember the golden rules of modal verbs. Never add an “s” to “can” (e.g., He cans is always wrong). Never put “to” after “can” (e.g., We can to go is always wrong). Always follow “can” with a bare infinitive (the base form of the verb).
- “Can” vs. “Must/Should”: When you want to be a helpful friend and suggest an idea, use “can” (or could). If you use “must”, you sound like a strict boss giving an order. If you use “should”, you are giving advice, which is okay, but “can” is softer and simply points out that the door is open for that option.
- Useful Chunks for Daily English: Memorize these phrases to sound more natural when solving problems:
- “We can always…” (We have this as a backup plan).
- “What we can do is…” (Let me suggest this idea).