2EF Theme 3 Grammar can & be able to

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Can and to be able to

Goals

at the end of class you can: 

- correctly use can and be able to

- rewrite sentences with can and be able to as questions, negations and in past tense

getting started

watch the following video before you start practising

Can and be able to

Can = kunnen/ gaat om vaardigheden (in het algemeen)

be able to = in staat zijn/waren (iets specifieks)

Can = kunnen/vaardigheden

Nicole can play chess.

Smoking can damage your health.

I can read very fast.

be able to = in staat zijn/waren

Nicole is able to walk with her injured knee.

Ken is able to raise enough money.

I am able to run a marathon.

(iets specifieks te doen)

practise

Complete the following questions with 'can' or 'able to' 

Let op: 

Can = kunnen/ gaat om vaardigheden

be able to = in staat zijn/waren

let op de tijd waarin de zin geschreven is

The boy ________ play the piano very well

I __________ bike myself to school today.

The dogs __________ jump through the ring.

I ____________ pick you up tonight.

They ___________ bike really fast.

My brother is a chef at a restaurant. He..........cook very well.

1. could
2. is able to
3. can
4. isn't able to

I have to go to a business dinner tomorrow night, so I .......come to the party.

1. am able to
2. can
3. am not able to
4. can't

Despite the arrival of the storm, they ...........finish the football match.

1. couldn't
2. could
3. were able to
4. weren't able to

I used to ...........touch my toes when I was young. Not anymore!

1. be able to
2. could
3. can
4. not to be able

He tried to open the door of his car during the race, but he just.........

1. could
2. couldn't
3. wasn't able to
4. was able to

Everyone went out yesterday, so I ..........finish the book I was reading.

1. can
2. was able to
3. could
4. wasn't able to

I hope ....................speak English very well after this course.

1. can
2. could
3. to be able to
4. couldn't

She will.............. come on holiday next summer, if her parents agree.

1. can
2. could
3. be able to
4. couldn't

Can you read this for me? I ...............read this without my glasses.

1. am not able to
2. can
3. can't
4. am able to

When I was a child, I ...................stand on my head.

1. could
2. was able to
3. couldn't
4. wasn't able to

I looked for my keys everywhere, but I ................find them.

1. could
2. can't
3. couldn't
4. can

practise

Read the following questions carefully and rewrite the sentences. 

(you can use Grammar 7 on page 43 of your textbook if you need help)

Make this sentence negative:
I can play the piano.

Put in past tense:
My teacher is able to help me with my homework.

Maak de zin vragend:
Nicole can play chess.

Maak de zin ontkennend.
Nicole can play chess.

Maak de zin vragend.
Nicole is able to walk with her injured knee.

Maak de zin ontkennend.
Ken is able to raise enough money.

Change the sentence into the past simple.
Ken is able to raise enough money.

Maak de zin ontkennend.
Ken was able to raise enough money.

Maak de zin vragend.
Ken was able to raise enough money.

goals achieved? 

I can correctly use can & be able to

yes

I think so, but I need some more practise

no, I don't understand this at all

I can rewrite sentences with can and be able to as negations, questions and in past tense

yes

mostly, but I need more practise

no