MODAL VERBS ABILITY

Modal verbs

PRESS START

Modals for ability

Let’s start with expressing ability! We use can, be able to and could to show that someone has (or doesn’t have) an ability to do something.

can,could,able to

CAN=Poder

The modal verb can expresses ability, offer, request, possibility, opportunity, permission, reproach and general truth.

structure of can

subject + can + verb he can swim subject + can not (can't) + verb he can not swim can + subject + verb + ? CAN he swim?

examples of can

We use can to talk about what is possible, what we are able or free to do: She can drive a car. John can speak Spanish. I cannot hear you. (I can't hear you.) Can you hear me?

We often use can in a question to ask somebody to do something. This is not a real question - we do not really want to know if the person is able to do something, we want them to do it! The use of can in this way is informal (mainly between friends and family): Can you make a cup of coffee, please. Can you put the TV on. Can you come here a minute. Can you be quiet!

We sometimes use can to ask or give permission for something: Can I smoke in this room? You can't smoke here, but you can smoke in the garden. (Note that we also use could, may, might for permission. The use of can for permission is informal.)

can,could,be able to

Could=Podía

Could is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. We use could to: talk about past possibility or ability make requests

structure of could

subject + could + verb he could swim when he was young subject + could not (couldn't) + verb he could not swim 2 years ago could + subject + verb + ? could he swim when he was a child?

examples of could

We use could to talk about what was possible in the past, what we were able or free to do: I could swim when I was 5 years old. My grandmother could speak seven languages. When we arrived home, we could not open the door. (...couldn't open the door.)

We often use could in a question to ask somebody to do something. The use of could in this way is fairly polite (formal): Could you tell me where the bank is, please? Could you send me a catalogue, please?

can,could,be able to

be able to = ser capaz de

Although we look at be able to here, it is not a modal verb. It is simply the verb be plus an adjective (able) followed by the infinitive. We look at be able to here because we sometimes use it instead of can and could.

structure of be able to

subject + be able to + verb I am able to drive subject + be not able to + verb He WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE be + subject + able to+ verb +? Was he able to DRIVE?

examples of BE ABLE TO

We use "be able to" to express ability. "Able" is an adjective meaning: having the power, skill or means to do something.We sometimes use be able to instead of "can" or "could" for ability. Be able to is possible in all tenses - but "can" is possible only in the present and "could" is possible only in the past for ability. In addition, "can" and "could" have no infinitive form. So we use be able to when we want to use other tenses or the infinitive. Look at these examples: You will be able to speak perfect English very soon. (future simple) I would like to be able to fly an airplane. (infinitive)

be IN PRESENT SIMPLE.

• Use "am" with "I."
• Use "are" with "you," "they," "we,"
• Use "is" with "he," "she,""IT"

i am able to run.She isn't able to cook.are you able to drive?

be IN past SIMPLE.

• Use "was" with "I,""he,""she,""IT"
• Use "WERE" with "you,""they,""we,"

i was able to swim in the pool.She wasn't able to speak in public.were you able to run very fast?

be IN future SIMPLE.

• we use modal verb will to express future with verb to be

i will be able to dance in the partyShe won't be able to cook dinner.will you be able to win the race?

examples of BE ABLE TO

She was able to finish her homework earlyIS he able to play the guitar very well?I will be able to drive a car next year.WERE YOU able to swim when I was five?He is able to play the guitar very well. They will not be able to come to the party.yesterday, I was able to finish my project.

examples of BE ABLE TO

examples of BE ABLE TO