Lesson 4 – Describing Past Abilities

Learn how to describe Past Abilities in English
Ability means the power or skill to do something. In the present tense, can is the most common expression of ability. In the past, we use phrases like ‘could’, ‘able to’ and ‘manage to.’ There are different rules of how to use each phrase.
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More InformationGrammar Exercises for Past of Can
Exercise 1 – Identify Correct Sentences
Exercise 1 – Identify Correct Sentences
Complete the following sentence using the correct past form of can (could, manage to, able to) according to the rules from the video.
Exercise 2 – Practice Expressing Ability in the Past
Exercise 2 – Practice Expressing Ability in the Past
Exercise 3 – Listening Exercise for Past Ability Descriptions
Exercise 3 – Listening Exercise for Past Ability Descriptions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Lesson Quiz for Past of Can
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Question 1 of 10
1. Question
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
I __________ open the door while carrying all those bags.CorrectIncorrect -
Question 2 of 10
2. Question
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
__________ you able to fix the sink?.CorrectIncorrect -
Question 3 of 10
3. Question
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
He __________ believe how strong his son was.CorrectIncorrect -
Question 4 of 10
4. Question
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
How did we __________ to get home last night?CorrectIncorrect -
Question 5 of 10
5. Question
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
They never were __________ to stop the development.CorrectIncorrect -
Question 6 of 10
6. Question
Complete the sentence with the best phrase to describe past ability:
How did we __________ to buy that house?CorrectIncorrect -
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Question 7 of 10
7. Question
Complete the sentence with the best phrase to describe past ability:
He __________ come to the party. He had to work.CorrectIncorrect -
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Question 8 of 10
8. Question
Complete the sentence with the best phrase to describe past ability:
Where were they __________ to park the car?CorrectIncorrect -
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Question 9 of 10
9. Question
Complete the sentence with the best phrase to describe past ability:
My children __________ read before kindergarten. Their teachers were impressed!CorrectIncorrect -
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Question 10 of 10
10. Question
Complete the sentence with the best phrase to describe past ability:
_____ she able to walk home after her fall?CorrectIncorrect -