Grammar exercises

Exercise 1. Fill the following spaces, using “can” for present, “could” for past and “will be able” for future. There is no need to use other able form in this section. Put TO where necessary before the infinitives.

1. … you stand on your head? ~ I … when I was at school but I … now.

2. When I've passed my driving test I … hire a car from our local garage.

3. At the end of the month the Post Office will send him an enormous telephone bill which he … pay. (negative)

4. I … remember the address, (negative) – … you even remember the street? (negative)

5. When the fog lifts we … see where we are.

6. You've put too much in your rucksack; you never … carry all that.

7. When I was a child I … understand adults, and now that I am an adult I … understand children. (negative, negative)

8. When you have taken your degree you … put letters after your name.

9. Don't try to look at all the pictures in the gallery. Otherwise when you get home you … remember any of them. (negative)

10. When I first went to Spain I … read Spanish but I … speak it.

11. … you type? – Yes, I … type but I … do shorthand.

12. I'm locked in. I … get out! (negative) ~ … you squeeze between the bars? (negative) – No! I …; I'm too fat. (negative)

Exercise 2. Fill in the blanks with the correct tense and form of “be able to” with the verb

In brackets.

1. Yesterday I (not walk) __wasn’t able to walk__ to school because I was sick.

2. If you work hard now, you (play) ____________________________ all next weekend.

3. I’m afraid I (not go) __________________________ with you to the doctor this evening.

4. They (understand) __________________________their neighbours now they speak Arabic.

5. Bob (buy) ______________________ that boat last week because he borrowed some money.

6. We (drive) _________________________ to the sea tomorrow in our new car.

7. My boss (not pay) ______________________me now because he hasn’t got any money.

8. I’m sorry, I (not find) _____________________ the book you wanted. It wasn’t in the shops.

9. I think I (speak) ___________________English quite well in a few months.

10. George has traveled a lot. He (speak) _________________________four languages.

Exercise 3. (Polite request) You are staying in a hotel. What do you say in these situations.

Use Can/Could you …? or Can/Could I…?

1. You want the receptionist to turn the air-conditioning off in your room because you’re cold.

Could you (or Can you) turn the air-conditioning off, please?

2. There is only one towel in your room. You want another one.

__________________________________________________________________________?

3. You want the receptionist to give you a wake-up call at 6.30 in the morning.

__________________________________________________________________________?

4. You want breakfast in your room tomorrow morning.

__________________________________________________________________________?

5. You want to leave your passport and traveller’s cheques in the hotel safe.

__________________________________________________________________________?

6. There is no hair drier in your room. You want to borrow one.

__________________________________________________________________________?

7. You want the receptionist to get a taxi for you.

__________________________________________________________________________?