Can and could are modal auxiliaries used to express ideas such as ability, possibility and permission. They also have some special uses. For example, they are often used with verbs that do not have a continuous form to talk about ongoing states and experiences.
Complete the following sentences with an appropriate word or phrase.
1. I ....................... Mary coming.
When the verb see refers to perception, we do not normally use continuous forms.
2. ………………….. somebody coming up the stairs?
When the verb hear refers to perception, we do not normally use progressive forms.
3. What did you put in the soup? I ………………… something funny.
When the verb taste refers to perception, we do not normally use progressive forms.
4. Suddenly I realized I ……………….. something burning.
When the verb smell refers to perception, we do not normally use progressive forms.
5. I ………………… what she wanted.
Know is not normally used with can/could.
6. I ………………… what she wanted.
Can and could are often used with the verb guess.
7. You ………………… she is British from her accent.
The expression ‘can tell’ means 'know'.
8. I ..................... what you are talking about.
9. She is an arrogant woman, but somehow you can’t ………………… her.
After can’t help, we use an -ing form.
10. I couldn’t ………………. what they said.
After can’t / couldn't help, we use an ing form.
11. I can’t help ...................... what she wants.
After can’t help, we can use ‘but + infinitive without to’. This expression has the same meaning as ‘can’t help + ing form’.
12. I can't help .......................... what I should do next.
The expression 'can't help + ing' has the same meaning as the expression 'can't help but + infinitive without to'.
Answers
1. I can see Mary coming.
2. Can you hear somebody coming up the stairs?
3. What did you put in the soup? I can taste something funny.
4. Suddenly I realized I could smell something burning.
5. I knew what she wanted.
6. I guessed / could guess what she wanted.
7. You can tell she is British from her accent.
8. I can’t understand / don’t understand what you are talking about.
9. She is an arrogant woman, but somehow you can’t help liking her.
10. I couldn’t help overhearing what they said.
11. I can’t help but wonder what she wants.
12. I can’t help wondering / but wonder what I should do next.
