Let's talk about modals of ability in the present and the past. Different
modals that we have that we can use to talk about ability are can and can't,
could and couldn't, be able to with all of the present and past forms of the
verb be, and in some cases know how, to or in the past, knew how to. I'm going to
show you how each of these works so that you can use them correctly to talk about
abilities. Let's start with the present. We can use 'can' to talk about physical
abilities. For example, Jennifer can run really fast.
Notice the pronunciation of 'can' in that sentence. Jennifer can run really fast.
You don't hear 'can.' Jennifer can run. When we speak quickly, it sounds like this:
Jennifer kn run. You don't hear the vowel. You just hear sounds like 'k' and 'n.'
Jennifer can run. With the negative of 'can,' it's 'can't.' Paul can't swim very well.
Paul can't swim very well. Here you almost don't hear the 't',' so it sounds like 'can.'
But it's can't. Paul can't swim very well. We also use 'can' with the five senses: see,
hear, smell, taste, touch. For example: what did you say? I can't hear you. Or: my
grandmother can't see very well. I can taste the vanilla in this coffee. So a
quick note about how to write the negative. You can write 'can't 'the
contraction, and this is very very common. Or you can write it like
this: 'cannot.' Technically you can also write it like this 'can not,' two words, but
this is very uncommon today in English. Most of the time people either use the
contraction 'can't' or 'cannot' written as one word. If we are talking about skills
that we learn, we can use 'can' or 'know how to.' For example: Paula knows how to play
the violin. Or Paulo can play the violin. I can't speak Chinese. I don't know how
to speak Chinese. Those have the same meaning. Finally, there's one more
construction we can use for any kind of ability and that is 'be able to.' And we
will transform the verb 'be' into the appropriate form. In the present that's
'am,' 'is,' or 'are.' For example: Lisa is able to speak three languages. Or: the kids aren't
able to read yet. Or: Paul is able to drive a car Or: I am able to see out that
window. So let's talk about ability in the past. If we're talking about general
past ability, we will use 'could' or 'couldn't' or 'be able to,' and we would use
the past form of 'be.' Either 'was,' 'wasn't,' 'were,' 'weren't.' For example: Francis was a
swimmer in college. She could swim really fast. Notice the pronunciation here. It's
Or Frank was able to read when he was four years old. Jesse was able to
drive a truck when he was 10. In the past, many girls were able to sew. We went to a
concert last night. We sat in the back. We couldn't see or hear very well.Or: we
weren't able to see or hear very well. We can also use 'knew how to' for things
that we learned how to do. For example: Jesse knew how to drive a truck when he
was 10 years old. He didn't know how to drive a truck when he was 9 years old. Or:
in the past, most girls knew how to sew. If we're talking about a single action, then
or something that occurred one time, we'll use 'was' or 'were able to.' For
example: we drove to the store last night and we were able to get there just
before it closed. Or: Bob did so well on his exams he was able to go to his first
choice of college. So now that we have looked at all of the modals for ability
in present and past, let's take a little quiz. What is the best way to complete
And here is the last one.
There is only one way to complete this sentence.
Their teacher will be so happy. And there you
have it different models of ability for present and past.Thanks for watching.