MODAL VERBS OF ABILITY

MODAL VERBS

OF ABILITY

ÍNDICE

EXPLANATION

PRESENT

PAST

FUTURE

1 Explanation

When we talk about ability, we mean two things.

1. First, we mean general ability. This is something that once you have learned you can do any time you want, like being able to read or swim or speak a language, for example.
2. The other kind of ability is specific ability. This means something that you can or can't do in one particular situation. For example, being able to lift something heavy, or find somewhere you are looking for.

1 Present

Can

is a modal verb that describes what someone is able to do, i.e. general ability in the present.

Positive statements In positive statements we put ‘can‘ between the subject and the main verb in its base form 1. I can ride a bicycle. 2. They can help you with building your house. Negative statements The negative form of ‘can‘ becomes ‘cannot’ or contracted ‘can’t’: 1. Jeffrey cannot play the piano. 2. She can’t go with us because she’s sick. Questions Questions with ‘can‘ are formed by swapping the subject and the modal verb: 1. Can Jane play tennis? 2. Can he drive a car?

2 Past

Could

To talk about ability in the past we use ‘could‘, which is the past form of ‘can‘.

To talk about ability in the past we use ‘could‘, which is the past form of ‘can‘. 1. I can’t dance rumba now (present ability), but I could when I was younger (past ability). 2. .I couldn’t go to that restaurant because it was too expensive (general ability). 3. My grandfather called us because he couldn’t find the house (specific ability).

Could have + participle

To talk about an ability someone had in the past, but didn’t use

1. I could have passed the test well but I didn’t practise enough. 2. He could have come earlier.

Was able to

To talk about for specific ability in a particular situation in the past

1. When the computer crashed yesterday, I was able to fix it. (not ‘I could fix it’) 2. She was able to pass the exam, even though she hadn’t studied much. (not ‘she could pass’)

3 Future

Will be able to

We use it to describe a general ability in the future

1. Peter can play the accordion quite well (present ability). In a year or two he will be able to give concerts (future ability). 2. Next Sunday I will be able to see the new fountains in the park.

Negative statements about future ability are formed using ‘won’t be able to’ or ‘will be unable to’ 1. If you don’t study well, you won’t be able to find a good job. 2. Sorry, I’ll be unable to call him at 2 PM. I’ll be in a meeting at that time.

BUT sometimes we can use ‘can‘ to describe a specific future ability: I can help you tomorrow. I can’t come to the party.