Mastering the difference between “can” and “be able to” is an essential step for anyone learning English. Both expressions are used to talk about ability, possibility, and permission, but they are not always interchangeable. The correct usage depends on the tense, context, and meaning you want to express.
This Can or Be Able To Quiz will help you practice and improve your English grammar skills, making your English more accurate and natural. Whether you are preparing for exams, writing professionally, or simply improving daily conversation skills, these exercises will boost your confidence. If you don’t know what is the difference between Can and be able to then read it.
Can or Be Able To Quiz
When to Use “Can” and “Be Able To”
- Can is mainly used in the present and future to talk about ability, possibility, or permission.
Example: She can swim very well. - Be able to work in all tenses and is often used when can is not grammatically possible.
Example: I have been able to finish the project on time.
Exercise and examples of Can or Be Able To Quiz
1. She ___ speak three languages fluently.
a) can
b) is able to
c) both a and b
2. I haven’t ___ contact him since last week.
a) can
b) been able to
c) could
3. We will ___ solve this problem by tomorrow.
a) can
b) be able to
c) been able to
4. He tried hard but wasn’t ___ lift the heavy box.
a) able to
b) can
c) could
5. Sorry, I ___ come to your party last night.
a) couldn’t
b) wasn’t able to
c) both a and b
6. They have never ___ find a good restaurant in that area.
a) could
b) been able to
c) can
7. She ___ play the piano when she was a child.
a) could
b) was able to
c) both a and b
8. After months of training, he finally ___ run a marathon.
a) can
b) was able to
c) could
9. You ___ use my laptop if you need it.
a) can
b) able to
c) be able to
10. Will you ___ help me with my homework tonight?
a) can
b) be able to
c) been able to
Answers of all quizzes
- c – both a and b
- b – been able to
- b – be able to
- a – able to
- c – both a and b
- b – been able to
- c – both a and b
- b – was able to
- a – can
- b – be able to
FAQs About “Can” and “Be Able To”
Is “be able to” more formal than “can”?
Yes, “be able to” can sound slightly more formal and is often used in written or professional contexts, while “can” is more common in casual speech.
When should I use “be able to” instead of “can”?
Use “be able to” in tenses where “can” does not work, such as the perfect tense or future perfect.
Can I use both “can” and “be able to” in the same sentence?
Not usually. They have similar meanings, so using both together is unnecessary unless you are emphasizing ability in different time frames.
Last Word
Understanding the difference between “can” and “be able to” will help you speak and write English more naturally. This quiz was designed to reinforce correct usage through practical examples.
Keep practicing these forms in different tenses, and soon, choosing the right one will become automatic.