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Can, could, be able to, manage to : exprimer la capacité

Fiche à imprimer : le cours, les trois exercices et le corrigé (sur une page à part). Revenir au cours en ligne

Can n'existe qu'au présent et could au passé. Pour les autres temps, on utilise be able to.

TempsFormeExemple
présentcan / can'tI can swim. She can't drive.
passé (capacité générale)could / couldn'tWhen I was five, I could read.
passé (réussite ponctuelle)was able to / managed toThe fire was big, but everybody was able to escape.
futurwill be able toNext year, I'll be able to drive.
present perfecthave been able toI haven't been able to sleep.
après un modal ou tobe able toI'd like to be able to speak Chinese.

Could ou was able to ?

Pour une réussite ponctuelle (une fois, une situation précise), on n'utilise pas could à l'affirmative, mais was able to ou managed to (réussir à, parvenir à) :

The exam was hard, but I managed to finish it. (et non I could finish it)
L'examen était difficile, mais j'ai réussi à le finir.

À la négative, couldn't fonctionne dans tous les cas : I couldn't open the door.

Attention : will can n'existe pas : on dit will be able to.

Mise en situation : un exploit sportif

Ben : Did you finish the race on Sunday?
Tu as fini la course dimanche ?
Clara : Yes! It was so hot, but I managed to finish in two hours.
Oui ! Il faisait tellement chaud, mais j'ai réussi à finir en deux heures.
Ben : Well done! Last year you couldn't run more than five kilometres!
Bravo ! L'année dernière, tu ne pouvais pas courir plus de cinq kilomètres !
Clara : I know. And next year, I hope I'll be able to run a marathon.
Je sais. Et l'année prochaine, j'espère que je serai capable de courir un marathon.

À retenir

  • can (présent) ; could (capacité générale passée).
  • was able to / managed to : réussite ponctuelle au passé.
  • will be able to (futur) ; have been able to (present perfect).
  • Jamais will can : will be able to.

Exercice 1 : Can, could, be able to : exercice 1 (QCM)

  1. « Je saurai conduire l'an prochain. »
    1. I'll be able to drive next year.
    2. I'll could drive next year.
    3. I'll can drive next year.
  2. When I was six, I ___ ride a bike.
    1. can
    2. could
    3. will be able to
  3. « J'ai réussi à finir l'examen. »
    1. I managed finishing the exam.
    2. I could finish the exam.
    3. I managed to finish the exam.
  4. « Je n'ai pas pu ouvrir la porte. »
    1. I couldn't open the door.
    2. I can't open the door yesterday.
    3. I wasn't able open the door.
  5. « Je n'ai pas réussi à dormir. » (depuis hier)
    1. I can't have slept.
    2. I haven't been able to sleep.
    3. I haven't could sleep.
  6. « J'aimerais être capable de parler chinois. »
    1. I'd like could speak Chinese.
    2. I'd like to can speak Chinese.
    3. I'd like to be able to speak Chinese.
  7. The fire was huge, but everyone ___ escape.
    1. could
    2. can
    3. was able to
  8. « Elle sait nager. »
    1. She can to swim.
    2. She can swim.
    3. She knows swim.
  9. Choisissez la phrase incorrecte.
    1. I will be able to help you.
    2. I will can help you.
    3. I can help you.
  10. « Ils ont réussi à trouver un hôtel. »
    1. They managed to find a hotel.
    2. They managed finding a hotel.
    3. They succeeded to find a hotel.

Exercice 2 : Can, could, be able to : exercice 2 (à compléter)

  1. I .......................... play the guitar. (sais)
  2. When I was young, I .......................... run very fast. (pouvais)
  3. Next year, I'll be .......................... to vote.
  4. It was difficult, but I .......................... to do it. (ai réussi)
  5. I .......................... find my keys this morning. (n'ai pas pu)
  6. She hasn't been .......................... to call you.
  7. I'd love to be able .......................... fly!
  8. We managed .......................... catch the last train.
  9. Will you be able .......................... come on Saturday?
  10. He .......................... swim. (ne sait pas)

Exercice 3 : Can, could, be able to : mise en situation

  1. Tu dis que tu sais jouer du piano.
    1. I know play the piano.
    2. I can play the piano.
    3. I can to play the piano.
  2. Tu racontes que, petit, tu savais déjà lire.
    1. When I was little, I can already read.
    2. When I was little, I managed read.
    3. When I was little, I could already read.
  3. Tu racontes que tu as réussi à finir la course.
    1. I could finish the race yesterday.
    2. I managed finishing the race.
    3. I managed to finish the race.
  4. Tu dis que tu pourras conduire l'année prochaine.
    1. I'll be able to drive next year.
    2. I'll can drive next year.
    3. I could drive next year.
  5. Tu dis que tu n'as pas pu dormir cette nuit.
    1. I wasn't able sleep last night.
    2. I can't sleep last night.
    3. I couldn't sleep last night.
  6. Tu dis que tu n'arrives pas à te concentrer depuis ce matin.
    1. I haven't been able to concentrate since this morning.
    2. I can't concentrate since this morning.
    3. I couldn't concentrate since this morning.
  7. Tu dis que tu aimerais savoir parler japonais.
    1. I'd like to be able to speak Japanese.
    2. I'd like to can speak Japanese.
    3. I'd like could speak Japanese.
  8. Tu racontes que vous avez réussi à attraper le train.
    1. We managed to catch the train.
    2. We managed catching the train.
    3. We could catch the train yesterday.
  9. Tu demandes à ton ami s'il pourra venir samedi.
    1. Will you can come on Saturday?
    2. Could you will come on Saturday?
    3. Will you be able to come on Saturday?
  10. Tu dis que ton petit frère ne sait pas encore nager.
    1. My little brother can't swim yet.
    2. My little brother can't to swim yet.
    3. My little brother doesn't can swim yet.

Corrigé

Exercice 1

1. a) I'll be able to drive next year. · 2. b) could · 3. c) I managed to finish the exam. · 4. a) I couldn't open the door. · 5. b) I haven't been able to sleep. · 6. c) I'd like to be able to speak Chinese. · 7. c) was able to · 8. b) She can swim. · 9. b) I will can help you. · 10. a) They managed to find a hotel.

Exercice 2

1. can · 2. could · 3. able · 4. managed · 5. couldn't · 6. able · 7. to · 8. to · 9. to · 10. can't

Exercice 3

1. b) I can play the piano. · 2. c) When I was little, I could already read. · 3. c) I managed to finish the race. · 4. a) I'll be able to drive next year. · 5. c) I couldn't sleep last night. · 6. a) I haven't been able to concentrate since this morning. · 7. a) I'd like to be able to speak Japanese. · 8. a) We managed to catch the train. · 9. c) Will you be able to come on Saturday? · 10. a) My little brother can't swim yet.