Unit 4A - Grammar
Modals & Phrases of ability
General Ability
We use can / could to talk about general abilities. E.g. I can ski, but I can't snowboard. I couldn't do maths at school.
General ability
We only use can in the present tense and could in the past tense, so when we need another form we use be able to. We use be able to: - In the present perfect, past perfect and after modal verbs. E.g. How long have you been able to drive? We hope we'll be able to come on Saturday. Everyone should be able to swim.
General ability
We use be able to: - After other verbs (e.g. want, need, like) or prepositions (e.g. of, about) E.g. The person who gets the job needs to be able to speak English. I like being able to visit my parents regularly. Don't worry about not being able to understand. You'll be fine!
Specific past achievements
Don't use could for specific past achievements. E.g. When I went to France last year, I was able to visit the Louvre. In negative sentences about specific past events, we use couldn't or wasn't able to. E.g. I went to France last year, but I couldn't remember / I wasn't able to remember any words in French.
Specific past achievements
We can also use managed to for specific past achievements, especially to show that something was difficult. E.g. It was hard work, but I managed to finish the project.
Unit 4A - Modals and phrases of ability
Gilda María Salido Young
Created on December 31, 2020
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Transcript
Unit 4A - Grammar
Modals & Phrases of ability
General Ability
We use can / could to talk about general abilities. E.g. I can ski, but I can't snowboard. I couldn't do maths at school.
General ability
We only use can in the present tense and could in the past tense, so when we need another form we use be able to. We use be able to: - In the present perfect, past perfect and after modal verbs. E.g. How long have you been able to drive? We hope we'll be able to come on Saturday. Everyone should be able to swim.
General ability
We use be able to: - After other verbs (e.g. want, need, like) or prepositions (e.g. of, about) E.g. The person who gets the job needs to be able to speak English. I like being able to visit my parents regularly. Don't worry about not being able to understand. You'll be fine!
Specific past achievements
Don't use could for specific past achievements. E.g. When I went to France last year, I was able to visit the Louvre. In negative sentences about specific past events, we use couldn't or wasn't able to. E.g. I went to France last year, but I couldn't remember / I wasn't able to remember any words in French.
Specific past achievements
We can also use managed to for specific past achievements, especially to show that something was difficult. E.g. It was hard work, but I managed to finish the project.