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Teacher cue
B1 · English Grammar

Expressing
Abilities

She can speak three languages. We managed to find a taxi.

can / could be able to manage to
The five forms

Five ways to talk about ability

can
general ability — present
could
general ability — past
be able to
general ability — more formal, more tenses
manage to
achieved despite difficulty + base verb
succeed in
achieved despite difficulty + verb‑ing
Can & Could

Present vs past ability

She can speak three languages. (present ability)
I can't swim very well. (lack of ability)
When I was six, I could already read. (past ability)
He couldn't ride a bike until he was ten.
Be Able To

Same meaning as can — more formal, more flexible.

She is able to work under pressure.
(= she can work under pressure)

I wasn't able to finish the test in time.
(useful in tenses where "can" doesn't work)

Manage To & Succeed In

A specific achievement, despite difficulty

We managed to find a taxi at midnight. (manage to + base verb)
She managed to finish the report before the deadline.
He succeeded in passing the exam after three attempts. (succeed in + ‑ing)
They succeeded in fixing the problem before the show.
⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

She succeeded to pass the exam.

She succeeded in passing the exam.

I managed passing the test.

I managed to pass the test.

When I was young, I can swim fast.

When I was young, I could swim fast.

I am able ^ swim very well.

I am able to swim very well.

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
tap the blank to reveal

Fill the gap

She(manage)juggle work and three kids somehow.
He(succeed + finish)the marathon despite the heat.
When I was a child, I(can — past)climb trees easily.
I'm not(able)come to the meeting tomorrow.
We finally(manage)fix the printer after two hours.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

When I was ten I couldA swim quite well, butB I couldn't toC dive fromD the high board.

Ccouldn't to → couldn't

✓ modals take the bare infinitive

Despite ofA her injury, she was able toB finish the race andC even managedD to smile.

ADespite of → Despite

✓ despite takes no of

After three years of lessons my brother canA play the guitar well, andB next year he willC canD join a band.

Dcan → be able to

✓ two modals cannot stack — use be able to

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Complete the sentence

We managed to find a taxi
He succeeded in passing the exam
When I was younger, I could
She is able to
Speak & write

Your turn

Use can / could / be able to / manage to / succeed in.

What could you do as a child that you can't do now?
Tell me about something you managed to do despite difficulty.
What are you able to do that surprises people?
Describe a time you succeeded in solving a hard problem.
Recap

Remember this

can / could
general ability — now / then
be able to
same meaning, more formal
manage to
+ base verb (achievement)
succeed in
+ verb‑ing (achievement)

Manage to / succeed in are for ONE difficult achievement, not general skill.

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