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Modal verbs and phrases - Can / Could / be able to

Oscar Alvarez
Oscar Alvarez

Use of modal verbs and examples

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Can, Could, Be able to modals
You use CAN to describe an ability in the present. Annie can swim, but she can't ride a bike. I can play the guitar and sing. You can also use BE ABLE TO to describe an ability in the present. He's able to park a car, but he's not able to drive in traffic yet. Hes crazy. He thinks he is able to stop time with his mind.
You use CAN to describe an ability in the present. Annie can swim, but she can't ride a bike. I can play the guitar and sing. You can also use BE ABLE TO to describe an ability in the present. He's able to park a car, but he's not able to drive in traffic yet. Hes crazy. He thinks he is able to stop time with his mind. In the PRESENT, the only difference between CAN and BE ABLE TO, is that CAN is more common and BE ABLE TO is more formal.
use COULD to describe a general ability in the past. My father could speak five languages. He was a very good tennis player. He could beat anybody. use WAS/ WERE ABLE TO if you are talking about what happened in a particular situation. Jack and John played a tennis match yesterday and John was able to beat Jack. There was a fire, but we were able to scape.
But in the negatiave, you can use COULDNT in both cases: My father couldnt swim. I couldnt read when I was 5. There was a big fire and some people coulndt escape. Yesterday Jack couldnt beat John.
For forms and tenses other than present or past, you have to use BE ABLE TO. We haven't been able to play tennis for a long time. (Present Perfect) I wont be able to be there tomorrow. (Future) Ive always wanted to be able to dance. (To- infinitive) etc.

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Modal verbs and phrases - Can / Could / be able to

  • 1. Can, Could, Be able to modals
  • 2. You use CAN to describe an ability in the present. Annie can swim, but she can't ride a bike. I can play the guitar and sing. You can also use BE ABLE TO to describe an ability in the present. He's able to park a car, but he's not able to drive in traffic yet. Hes crazy. He thinks he is able to stop time with his mind.
  • 3. You use CAN to describe an ability in the present. Annie can swim, but she can't ride a bike. I can play the guitar and sing. You can also use BE ABLE TO to describe an ability in the present. He's able to park a car, but he's not able to drive in traffic yet. Hes crazy. He thinks he is able to stop time with his mind. In the PRESENT, the only difference between CAN and BE ABLE TO, is that CAN is more common and BE ABLE TO is more formal.
  • 4. use COULD to describe a general ability in the past. My father could speak five languages. He was a very good tennis player. He could beat anybody. use WAS/ WERE ABLE TO if you are talking about what happened in a particular situation. Jack and John played a tennis match yesterday and John was able to beat Jack. There was a fire, but we were able to scape.
  • 5. But in the negatiave, you can use COULDNT in both cases: My father couldnt swim. I couldnt read when I was 5. There was a big fire and some people coulndt escape. Yesterday Jack couldnt beat John.
  • 6. For forms and tenses other than present or past, you have to use BE ABLE TO. We haven't been able to play tennis for a long time. (Present Perfect) I wont be able to be there tomorrow. (Future) Ive always wanted to be able to dance. (To- infinitive) etc.