Unit 13: Ability (can, could, and be able to)

Todd Windisch, Summer 2015

MODALS

• What are modals? • Modals are auxiliary (helping) verbs.

• What are some examples? • Can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would

• What do they do? Why do we use them? • They add extra meaning to a sentence.

• What don’t they do? • They do not always express time.

• Every modal has different meanings and tenses

Rules with Modals

• Present and future tense • Sub + modal + verb [base form] • Ex. She can dance. • Ex. I can’t buy the tickets tomorrow.

• Past tense • Sub + modal + verb [base form] • Ex. She could dance. • Ex. I couldn’t speak French when I was in middle school.

• NOTE: The modal never changes (no “s”) and the verb is always base form

Modals of Ability

• The two modals of ability are: can and could

• Can is used for the present and future

• Could is used for the past

“Be Able to”

• “Be Able to” has the same meaning as can or could

• It is not a modal, so the rules are different • I am able to dance well.

• She is able to help me move on Saturday.

• I was able to buy the house after I saved for a long time.

• NOTE: Remember we always use base form after “to” • I’m going to shopping.

• I’ll be able to calling later.

Present Ability

• Use can or be able to for present ability • She can speak English, but she can’t speak French.

• He is able to take classes now that he has a car.

• Can is much more common

• We usually use be able to when the ability to do something comes after a lot of hard work • French was difficult for me, but now I’m able to have a conversation because I

spent a year studying in France.

Past Ability

• Use could or be able to for past ability • I could dance well when I was a child.

• Was he able to whistle when he was a child?

• Be careful! Don’t use could in positive statements for a single event in the past – use be able to • After a lot of hard work and dedication, they were able to win first prize in the

2002 dance competition.

• However, we can use couldn’t for single events • They couldn’t win first prize even though they worked very hard.

Future Ability

• Use can or will be able to when you are talking about plans or arrangements • I can buy the tickets tomorrow after I get paid.

• I’ll be able to cook dinner after work tonight because I’ll be out early.

• We only use will be able to (NOT can) when we talk about things we learn • When you finish this course, you…