a. That shelf is too high. I can’t reach it.
b. What’s that noise? I can hear something.
c. There’s something wrong with this door. I can’t open it.
d. I’m really hungry! I haven’t been able to take my lunch break yet.
e. Sorry, I can’t come tomorrow. I’ll try and see you next week.
f. I really want to be able to use a computer properly.
g. Don’t push Harry in the water. He can’t swim.
h. I feel terrible. I haven’t been able to sleep for the past couple of night.
Правило: модальный глагол can имеет только две формы – простого настоящего/Present Simple (can) и простого времени. В остальных случаях – например, простого будущего/Future Simple (как в предложении f) или совершенного настоящего/Present Perfect (как в предложениях d и h), а также в других употребляют выражение to be able to.
1) 1. Tom followed Eileen (1) on the theatrical pages and he was not surprised (2) when he read she was leaving the cast (3) of the play to take the leading part in a new performance.
2. It annoyed her mother and she said (1), “Laura has been attending (2) that school of yours (3) for two years, you certainly ought to recognize her name.
2) 1. She started across the avenue (1), youthful, beautiful, looking (2) as though she was setting (3) out to conquest the city.
2. We sat in silence for a moment, I because I was too confused (1) to speak (2); Carol because the story, as far as (3) she was concerned, was complete.
3) 1. When we arrived (1) home we found that one of our windows (2) had been broken (3).
2. Sam and Mary were enjoying (1) the valley beneath (2) them at the crack of dawn (3).
4) 1. During Queen Elizabeth I’s (1) reign (2), the role of England in the world changed dramatically (3).
2. A sudden (1) thought struck him and he suggested searching (2) all the other rooms (3) in the house.