Modals of Ability/Permission: Can, Could – English Grammar Exercises for A2
You injured your leg a week ago, but you are finally feeling much better. You are sending text messages to your family to report your restored physical abilities and progress. Choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each message.
1 “Great news! My leg feels much better today, and I ______ walk without crutches.”
(A) could
(B) can to
(C) am can
(D) can
2 “Last week I was in so much pain, but now I ______ finally stand up by myself.”
(A) can
(B) could
(C) cans
(D) do can
3 “The doctor removed the bandage, so I ______ take a normal shower tonight!”
(A) must
(B) can to
(C) can
(D) am able
4 “I ______ go jogging yet, but the doctor says I will be fully healed soon.”
(A) don’t can
(B) couldn’t
(C) can’t
(D) am not can
5 “Just a few days ago I ______ even move my toes, but look at me now!”
(A) can’t
(B) couldn’t
(C) didn’t could
(D) couldn’t to
6 “Mom, I ______ climb the stairs to my bedroom again! No more sleeping on the couch.”
(A) could
(B) can
(C) do can
(D) cans
7 “I ______ drive my car to work tomorrow. My foot is strong enough to press the pedals.”
(A) will can
(B) must
(C) can to
(D) can
8 “I still ______ wear my high heels, but my comfortable sneakers fit perfectly.”
(A) don’t can
(B) shouldn’t
(C) cannot
(D) am not can
9 “During the first three days, I ______ sleep because of the pain, but last night was great.”
(A) can’t
(B) couldn’t to
(C) haven’t
(D) couldn’t
10 “The physical therapist says I ______ start doing light exercises this weekend.”
(A) can
(B) can to
(C) could
(D) am can
11 “I am so happy that I ______ carry my own groceries again.”
(A) am able
(B) could
(C) can
(D) do can
12 “I ______ bend my knee almost completely now without feeling any sharp pain.”
(A) cans
(B) can
(C) could
(D) can to
13 “I ______ play soccer yet, but I will definitely join the team’s practice next month.”
(A) couldn’t
(B) don’t can
(C) can’t
(D) shouldn’t
14 “It is amazing how fast the body heals. I ______ already put my full weight on my left foot.”
(A) can
(B) have to
(C) could
(D) cans
15 “Before the surgery, I ______ walk for more than five minutes.”
(A) didn’t could
(B) can’t
(C) wasn’t able
(D) couldn’t
16 “I ______ ride my bicycle to the park this afternoon to get some fresh air.”
(A) am can
(B) must
(C) can
(D) do
17 “You ______ stop worrying about me now. I am completely fine!”
(A) could to
(B) can
(C) cans
(D) are can
18 “I ______ jump or run right now, but walking slowly is perfectly fine.”
(A) couldn’t
(B) cannot
(C) don’t can
(D) shouldn’t
19 “I ______ finally say that my leg is 100% back to normal.”
(A) could
(B) can to
(C) can
(D) am able
20 “Thanks to the medicine, I ______ easily stretch my leg without crying.”
(A) cans
(B) do can
(C) must
(D) can
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (D) can
- Why it’s right: Expresses a restored present ability to walk.
- Error Analysis: (A) could (Strong Distractor: Wrong tense. “Could” is for past ability, but “feels much better today” indicates present). (B) can to (Structural Error: Modals are never followed by “to”). (C) am can (Structural Error: Never combine the “to be” verb with a modal).
2 (A) can
- Why it’s right: Contrasts the present ability (“but now I can”) with the past state (“Last week”).
- Error Analysis: (B) could (Strong Distractor: Past tense). (C) cans (Common Mistake: Modals never take an “-s”, even for he/she/it). (D) do can (Structural Error).
3 (C) can
- Why it’s right: Reports a newly regained physical ability.
- Error Analysis: (A) must (Meaning Trap: “Must” means obligation. Taking a shower is an ability/choice here, not a forced duty). (B) can to (Structural Error). (D) am able (Common Mistake: Missing the word “to”).
4 (C) can’t
- Why it’s right: Expresses a present inability that has not healed yet.
- Error Analysis: (A) don’t can (Common Mistake: Using the auxiliary ‘do’ to make a modal negative is grammatically incorrect). (B) couldn’t (Strong Distractor: Wrong tense). (D) am not can (Structural Error).
5 (B) couldn’t
- Why it’s right: Refers specifically to an inability in the past (“Just a few days ago”).
- Error Analysis: (A) can’t (Strong Distractor: Wrong tense). (C) didn’t could (Common Mistake: You never use “didn’t” with a modal verb). (D) couldn’t to (Structural Error).
6 (B) can
- Why it’s right: Excitedly reporting a recovered present ability.
- Error Analysis: (A) could (Strong Distractor: Refers to the past). (C) do can (Structural Error). (D) cans (Common Mistake).
7 (D) can
- Why it’s right: Shows current physical capability to do a future action (“tomorrow”).
- Error Analysis: (A) will can (Common Mistake: You cannot put two modal verbs together. It must be “will be able to”). (B) must (Meaning Trap: Obligation instead of ability). (C) can to (Structural Error).
8 (C) cannot
- Why it’s right: Formal/full way of stating a present inability.
- Error Analysis: (A) don’t can (Common Mistake). (B) shouldn’t (Meaning Trap: “Shouldn’t” means it’s a bad idea, but “cannot” emphasizes the physical impossibility). (D) am not can (Structural Error).
9 (D) couldn’t
- Why it’s right: Past inability (“During the first three days”).
- Error Analysis: (A) can’t (Strong Distractor: Wrong tense). (B) couldn’t to (Structural Error). (C) haven’t (Common Mistake: Wrong auxiliary verb).
10 (A) can
- Why it’s right: The therapist is confirming a present/future ability.
- Error Analysis: (B) can to (Structural Error). (C) could (Strong Distractor: Sounds like a past ability or a tentative suggestion, but “can” is a direct statement of restored health). (D) am can (Structural Error).
11 (C) can
- Why it’s right: Present physical strength restored.
- Error Analysis: (A) am able (Common Mistake: Missing “to”). (B) could (Strong Distractor). (D) do can (Structural Error).
12 (B) can
- Why it’s right: Direct statement of a restored physical function.
- Error Analysis: (A) cans (Common Mistake). (C) could (Strong Distractor: Past tense). (D) can to (Structural Error).
13 (C) can’t
- Why it’s right: Acknowledging a limitation that still exists in the present (“yet”).
- Error Analysis: (A) couldn’t (Strong Distractor: Past tense). (B) don’t can (Common Mistake). (D) shouldn’t (Meaning Trap: Changes meaning from inability to advice).
14 (A) can
- Why it’s right: Expresses amazement at a newly recovered present ability.
- Error Analysis: (B) have to (Meaning Trap: Obligation). (C) could (Strong Distractor). (D) cans (Common Mistake).
15 (D) couldn’t
- Why it’s right: Emphasizes a severe physical inability in the past (“Before the surgery”).
- Error Analysis: (A) didn’t could (Common Mistake). (B) can’t (Strong Distractor: Wrong tense). (C) wasn’t able (Common Mistake: Missing “to”).
16 (C) can
- Why it’s right: Present ability allowing a planned action.
- Error Analysis: (A) am can (Structural Error). (B) must (Meaning Trap). (D) do (Common Mistake).
17 (B) can
- Why it’s right: Giving permission or assuring someone based on current recovery.
- Error Analysis: (A) could to (Structural Error). (C) cans (Common Mistake). (D) are can (Structural Error).
18 (B) cannot
- Why it’s right: Emphasizing a present physical restriction.
- Error Analysis: (A) couldn’t (Strong Distractor). (C) don’t can (Common Mistake). (D) shouldn’t (Meaning Trap).
19 (C) can
- Why it’s right: Final confirmation of a present ability/state.
- Error Analysis: (A) could (Strong Distractor). (B) can to (Structural Error). (D) am able (Common Mistake).
20 (D) can
- Why it’s right: Result of the medicine leading to a restored physical ability.
- Error Analysis: (A) cans (Common Mistake). (B) do can (Structural Error). (C) must (Meaning Trap).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- “Can” for Restored Ability: When you are recovering from an illness or injury, use “can” to celebrate the things you are finally physically able to do again in the present (e.g., I can walk now!).
- Contrasting with the Past: To show how much you have improved, you will often contrast a present “can” with a past inability using “couldn’t” (e.g., Yesterday I couldn’t stand, but today I can.).
- The “Will Can” Trap: If you want to talk about an ability you will get back in the future, you are never allowed to say “will can”. You must change the structure completely and use “will be able to” (e.g., I will be able to run next week).
- Absolute Rules of Modals: Never add an “-s” to “can” or “could”. Never put a “to” right after them. Never mix them with “do”, “does”, “did”, or the “to be” verb (am/is/are). Modal verbs function on their own.