Презентація Modal verbs

Modals for Ability

We use can, be able to and could to show that someone has (or doesn’t have) an ability to do something. Look at these examples:

Present/Future Ability                Negative                                Past Ability                                                    Negative

Alan can swim well. Jackie cannot play piano. Paul could speak Chinese when Mary couldn’t finish her he was a child. homework last night.

I can meet you after school. We can’t visit Vancouver this Last night, there were no clouds You couldn’t find the website weekend. in the sky and they could see this morning, could you?

all the stars.

I am able to speak two I am not able to speak Arabic. When I was a young child, I I wasn’t able to finish my test languages. wasn’t able to tie my shoes. yesterday.

Brenda is able to run quickly.     Stacey isn’t able to finish a      Shaun was able to complete                   Paula wasn’t able to pass the

                                                                                                        marathon.                      the assignment.                                                class.

You are able to program a    We aren’t able to make a     They were able to catch six     You weren’t able to understand computer. reservation tonight. fish on their trip.     the answer, were you?

if we want to say that someone did something in a specific situation, we must use was/were able to, or managed to + infinitive.