Complete the sentence using the correct option:-
My grandfather was a clever man, he _____ speak five languages.
A. Can
B. Cannot
C. Could
D. Could not
E. May
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → C only
Could for past ability:
- Could is the past form of can and expresses ability in the past.
- This sentence: the grandfather "was a clever man", in the past, and speaking five languages shows his cleverness, so the verb is could.
Complete sentence: My grandfather was a clever man, he could speak five languages.
(A) Can — Incorrect.
- "Can" is present.
- The sentence is about the past ("was").
(B) Cannot — Incorrect.
- It is present, and the negative goes against "clever man".
(C) Could — Correct.
- It shows past ability, in line with "was a clever man".
(D) Could not — Incorrect.
- The tense is right, but being unable to speak five languages does not show that he was clever.
(E) May — Incorrect.
- "May" shows possibility or permission in the present, not past ability.