Modals of ability
Hi, today we are going to learn about modals of ability.
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The modals of ability are can and can't, could and couldn't, and be able to.
I will also talk briefly about manage
which also refers to ability but is not a modal verb.
So let's start with: can and can't
We use can and can't to talk about someone’s skill or general abilities.
So, she can swim like a fish. Or
They can’t sing very well, can they?
We use can to talk about the ability to do something at a given time in the present or the future.
So, you can make a lot of money if you work hard.
This is referring to the future but we use can.
or referring to the present We can’t see anything.
Generally we use can and can't in spoken English rather than be able to
as it is shorter and less formal.
Now let's look at COULD
We use could to talk about generally about a skill or ability in the past.
So, she could swim like a fish. Or, they couldn’t sing very well.
We use could + have + past participle to say that someone had the ability/opportunity to
do something, but did not do it:
For example: I could have danced all night [but I didn't].
OK, CAN and COULD
We can use can and could with the senses: see, hear, smell, feel and taste.
For example: From the top of the hill, we could see for miles.
Or, I can smell something burning.
Moving on to BE ABLE TO
We use be able to just like can. But it's more formal. We use it to talk about abilities.
But we often use it in places where it is not possible to use can. For example, it isn’t possible
to use can after another modal verb:
For example: I'm free this evening, I might be able to go to the party with you.
We use was/ were able to when speaking about something someone succeeded in doing
on one particular occasion.
For example: Mum didn't have any money on her
but fortunately she was able to pay by credit card.
When talking about ability we use can in the present and could in the past.
But for perfect and future tenses we use able to:
So, I have been very busy so I haven't been able to cook dinner. ( This is the present perfect)
Or, when you finish this lesson you will be able
to understand modals of ability in English. ( This is the future simple)
We also use be able to after certain verbs that are followed by the infinitive.
For example: He hopes to be able to study history at university.
Note we don't use be able to in continuous forms.
Let's now talk about COULDN'T and WASN'T or WEREN'T ABLE TO.
So in the negative couldn't and wasn't or weren't able to
are used for BOTH speaking in general and when speaking about one particular occasion.
So for example: Peter wasn't able to swim
or couldn't swim until he was 18 years old.
This is talking about a general ability.
Or, I couldn’t or wasn't able to do all the questions in the exam.
This is referring to one particular occasion.
Lastly MANAGE . This isn't a modal verb but it is used to talk about ability.
If we succeed in doing
something difficult we use manage.
For example: He managed to save money despite his small salary.
So now its your turn...
Louisa blank speak three languages: English, French and Spanish.
Can. We use can for general abilities and skills.
We could use is able to here as well but it's more formal.
2. I should blank play tennis at the weekend.
Be able to - we use be able to after modal verbs.
3. She blank the exam if she had worked harder.
Could have passed. We use could + have + past participle for things that you had the opportunity
to do but didn't do.
Congratulations. You now know how to use modals of ability in English.
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free English languages out every Friday. Thank you for watching.