Can vs. Could – English Grammar Exercises for A2
You and your friends are trying to decide what to do this weekend. You are texting in your group chat to suggest some fun and feasible ideas based on your budget and free time. Read the messages carefully and choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each suggestion.
1 “It is going to be sunny and warm this Saturday. We ______ go to the beach if you guys want!”
(A) can
(B) could to
(C) cans
(D) do can
2 “We have a completely free weekend. What ______ we do?”
(A) are can
(B) could to
(C) can
(D) do can
3 “I just washed my car and filled it with gas. We ______ drive to the national park for a picnic.”
(A) can
(B) could to
(C) cans
(D) are can
4 “Friend: I don’t have much money to spend right now.”
“You: That’s okay! We ______ visit the free art museum downtown.”
(A) can
(B) could to
(C) can to
(D) cans
5 “If we just want to stay indoors and relax, we ______ watch a movie at my house.”
(A) cans
(B) can
(C) could to
(D) do can
6 “______ we invite Sarah to join us? She really loves outdoor activities.”
(A) Do can
(B) Are can
(C) Can
(D) Could to
7 “For dinner, we ______ go to the new Italian restaurant. I heard their pizza is amazing and very cheap.”
(A) can
(B) could to
(C) cans
(D) do can
8 “Friend: The cinema is too far to walk.”
“You: Don’t worry, we ______ take the number 5 bus. It only takes 15 minutes.”
(A) can to
(B) could to
(C) can
(D) do can
9 “If it rains on Sunday morning, we ______ go swimming in the lake, unfortunately.”
(A) can’t
(B) couldn’t
(C) don’t can
(D) not can
10 “Instead of swimming, we ______ play board games inside my apartment.”
(A) can
(B) could to
(C) cans
(D) are can
11 “We only have two days off, so we ______ travel to another country this time. It takes too long.”
(A) couldn’t
(B) can’t
(C) didn’t can
(D) don’t can
12 “If the weather is nice, we ______ rent bikes and ride around the city center.”
(A) can
(B) can to
(C) could to
(D) cans
13 “Friend: What time should we meet up?”
“You: We ______ meet at the local coffee shop at 9:00 AM. Does that sound good?”
(A) cans
(B) could to
(C) can
(D) do can
14 “I have a special discount code for the theme park on my phone. We ______ buy tickets for half price!”
(A) can
(B) could to
(C) can to
(D) cans
15 “We ______ go camping in the mountains overnight because I have a very big tent we can share.”
(A) can to
(B) could to
(C) can
(D) do can
16 “If you guys are feeling tired from work, we ______ just relax at a quiet cafe and drink tea.”
(A) can
(B) could to
(C) cans
(D) are can
17 “Friend: Is the zoo open on Sundays?”
“You: Yes, it is! So we ______ visit the zoo if you like animals.”
(A) cans
(B) could to
(C) can
(D) do can
18 “We ______ stay out too late on Sunday night because we all have to work early on Monday.”
(A) can’t
(B) couldn’t
(C) don’t can
(D) not can
19 “There is a big food festival in the park this weekend. We ______ try a lot of different street foods there.”
(A) can
(B) could to
(C) can to
(D) cans
20 “We have so many good options! We ______ decide tomorrow morning after everyone wakes up.”
(A) cans
(B) could to
(C) can
(D) do can
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Key: (A) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: You are making a suggestion based on a present possibility. “We can go” means “We have the ability and the good weather to go right now/this weekend.”
- Why others are wrong: (B) “Could to” is invalid because modals never take “to”. (C) “Cans” is invalid because modals never take “-s”. (D) “Do can” is invalid.
2 Key: (C) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Asking the group about present options/possibilities (“What can we do?”).
- Why others are wrong: (B) “Could to” is structurally invalid. (A) and (D) incorrectly use auxiliary verbs (“are”, “do”) with a modal.
3 Key: (A) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: You have a car and gas, so the condition to drive is met. You use “can” to suggest this realistic option.
- Why others are wrong: (B) has “to”. (C) has “-s”. (D) uses “are”.
4 Key: (A) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Suggesting a free option because the friend has no money. It is a practical, present possibility.
- Why others are wrong: (B) and (C) have “to”. (D) has “-s”.
5 Key: (B) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Offering your house as a present, realistic option for the weekend.
- Why others are wrong: (A) has “-s”. (C) has “to”. (D) uses “do”.
6 Key: (C) Can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Suggesting an idea in question form (“Can we invite Sarah?”).
- Why others are wrong: (A), (B), and (D) are completely invalid grammatical structures.
7 Key: (A) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Suggesting a dining option based on current facts (it’s new, amazing, and cheap).
- Why others are wrong: (B) has “to”. (C) has “-s”. (D) uses “do”.
8 Key: (C) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: The bus is a present, available option to solve the problem of distance.
- Why others are wrong: (A) and (B) have “to”. (D) uses “do”.
9 Key: (A) can’t
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Can’t” expresses a present/future inability. If it rains, the option to swim is impossible.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “Couldn’t” is used for the past, but the weekend hasn’t happened yet! (C) and (D) are invalid forms of negative modals.
10 Key: (A) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Suggesting an alternative indoor plan.
- Why others are wrong: (B) has “to”. (C) has “-s”. (D) uses “are”.
11 Key: (B) can’t
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Stating a logistical impossibility for this current weekend (not enough time).
- Why others are wrong: (A) “Couldn’t” refers to a past weekend. (C) and (D) are invalid.
12 Key: (A) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: A fun, realistic suggestion if the weather permits.
- Why others are wrong: (B) and (C) have “to”. (D) has “-s”.
13 Key: (C) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Proposing a time and place to meet up.
- Why others are wrong: (A) has “-s”. (B) has “to”. (D) uses “do”.
14 Key: (A) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: You possess the discount code now, creating the present possibility to buy cheap tickets.
- Why others are wrong: (B) and (C) have “to”. (D) has “-s”.
15 Key: (C) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Owning a big tent makes this suggestion physically possible for the group.
- Why others are wrong: (A) and (B) have “to”. (D) uses “do”.
16 Key: (A) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Suggesting a low-energy option based on how the friends are feeling.
- Why others are wrong: (B) has “to”. (C) has “-s”. (D) uses “are”.
17 Key: (C) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Confirming that the zoo is open creates the opportunity to go.
- Why others are wrong: (A) has “-s”. (B) has “to”. (D) uses “do”.
18 Key: (A) can’t
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: A strict limitation on the upcoming weekend because of Monday’s work schedule.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “Couldn’t” is for past weekends. (C) and (D) are invalid negatives.
19 Key: (A) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Suggesting a fun activity available at the festival.
- Why others are wrong: (B) and (C) have “to”. (D) has “-s”.
20 Key: (C) can
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Stating that the group has the ability to delay their choice until tomorrow.
- Why others are wrong: (A) has “-s”. (B) has “to”. (D) uses “do”.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- “We Can…” for Suggestions:
- In English, we use “can” to talk about present abilities (e.g., I can swim).
- We also use it to suggest ideas or plans for the near future. When you say “We can go to the beach,” you are telling your friends: “We have the time, the weather is good, and it is a realistic option for us. Let’s do it!”
- “Can’t” for Logistical Limits:
- If an option is impossible because you don’t have enough money, time, or good weather, you use “can’t”.
- Example: “We only have two days, so we can’t travel far.”
- Why not “Could”?
- Native speakers do sometimes use “could” for suggestions (“We could go to the beach”). However, “could” makes the suggestion sound uncertain, hypothetical, or like a backup plan.
- “Can” is stronger, more enthusiastic, and shows that the plan is highly feasible and realistic right now. (Note: On this test, “could” was paired with “to” making it grammatically incorrect anyway, ensuring “can” was your only correct path!).
- The 3 Rules of Modals:
- No TO: (Say: We can go, NEVER We can to go).
- No -S: (Say: He can go, NEVER He cans go).
- No DO/DID: (Say: We can’t go, NEVER We don’t can go).