Complete the sentences with can or can't where possible. If not, use be able to in the correct form. Use the short negative form (won't be able to). Make sure to use the apostrophe (') correctly.
1. I ... cook, but not as well as my mother.
2. I ... finish your book by the end of this week, I'm sorry.
3. My nephew ... play chess very well – he has won several competitions.
4. I ... speak Polish now, but I might . .. learn a little bit next year.
5. My grandparents ... use the computer. They have never learnt.
6. Oh no, it's raining! We . ..
have a barbecue tonight.
7. We ... afford to go on holiday this year. We don't have enough money.
8. Jason ... take care of me now, but he might ... take care of me when I'm 90.
9. They ... fix the TV today, but they ... do it tomorrow.​

1. I can cook, but not as well as my mother.
Explanation: The word "can" is used to talk about ability in the present. In this sentence, the person is saying that they have the ability to cook, but not as well as their mother.

2. I won't be able to finish your book by the end of this week, I'm sorry.
Explanation: The phrase "won't be able to" is a short negative form used to talk about inability in the future. In this sentence, the person is apologizing for not being able to finish the book by the end of the week.

3. My nephew can play chess very well – he has won several competitions.
Explanation: The word "can" is used to talk about ability in the present. In this sentence, the person is saying that their nephew has the ability to play chess very well, as evidenced by winning several competitions.

4. I can't speak Polish now, but I might be able to learn a little bit next year.
Explanation: The word "can't" is a short negative form used to talk about inability in the present. In this sentence, the person is saying that they are currently unable to speak Polish, but there is a possibility that they will be able to learn a little bit next year.

5. My grandparents can't use the computer. They have never learnt.
Explanation: The word "can't" is a short negative form used to talk about inability in the present. In this sentence, the person is saying that their grandparents are unable to use the computer because they have never learned how to.

6. Oh no, it's raining! We won't be able to have a barbecue tonight.
Explanation: The phrase "won't be able to" is a short negative form used to talk about inability in the future. In this sentence, the person is expressing disappointment because it is raining, and as a result, they will be unable to have a barbecue tonight.

7. We can't afford to go on holiday this year. We don't have enough money.
Explanation: The word "can't" is a short negative form used to talk about inability in the present. In this sentence, the person is saying that they are unable to go on holiday this year because they do not have enough money.

8. Jason can take care of me now, but he might not be able to take care of me when I'm 90.
Explanation: The word "can" is used to talk about ability in the present. In this sentence, the person is saying that Jason has the ability to take care of them now, but there is a possibility that he might not be able to take care of them when they are 90 years old.

9. They can't fix the TV today, but they will be able to do it tomorrow.
Explanation: The word "can't" is a short negative form used to talk about inability in the present. In this sentence, the person is saying that they are unable to fix the TV today, but there is an assurance that they will be able to do it tomorrow.