HOW TO USE MODAL VERBS OF ABILITY

HOW TO USE MODAL VERBS OF ABILITY

When we talk about ability, we mean two things. First, we mean general ability. This is something that once you have learned you can do any time you want, like being able to read or swim or speak a language.

For example:
The other kind of ability is specific ability. This mean something that you can or can't do in one particular situation. For example, being able to lift something heavy, or find somewhere you are looking for.

A: PRESENT:

CAN / CAN'T (FOR BOTH GENERAL AND SPECIFIC ABILITY)

For example:

I can play the piano.

She can speak English.

He can't drive – he's too tired.

We can't come now.

B: PAST:

COULD / COULDN'T (FOR GENERAL ABILITY)

For example:

I could read when I was four.

She could speak French when she was a child, but now she has forgotten it.

He couldn't dance at all until he took lessons.

My grandfather couldn't swim.

WAS ABLE TO / COULDN'T (FOR SPECIFIC ABILITY)

When the computer crashed yesterday, I was able to fix it.(not “I could fix it”)

She was able to pass the exam, even though she hadn't studied much.(not “she could pass”)

For example:

He called us because he couldn't find the house.

I couldn't open the window.

COULD + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE (AN ABILITY SOMEONE HAD IN THE PAST, BUT DIDN'T USE)

For example:

I could have played the piano well but I didn't practise enough.

We could have come earlier.

She could have studied law, but she preferred to become a secretary.

C: FUTURE:

WILL / WON'T BE ABLE TO (GENERAL ABILITY)

For example:

At the end of the course, you will be able to make your own website.

He won't be able to speak Japanese in a week! It will take months.

CAN / CAN'T (SPECIFIC ABILITY)

For example:

I can help you tomorrow

I can't come to the party

MODALS OF ABILITY EXERCISE 1

Direction: Put in ‘can’ / ‘can’t’ / ‘could’ / ‘couldn’t’. If none is possible, use ‘be able to’ in the correct tense:

1. _________________ you swim when you were 10?

2. We _________________ get to the meeting on time yesterday because the train was delayed by one hour.

3. He _________________ arrive at the party on time, even after missing the train, so he was very pleased.

4. He’s amazing, he _________________ speak 5 languages including Chinese.

5. I _________________ drive a car until I was 34, then I moved to the countryside so I had to learn.

6. I looked everywhere for my glasses but I _________________ find them anywhere.

7. I searched for your house for ages, luckily I _________________ find it in the end.

8. She’s 7 years old but she _________________ read yet – her parents are getting her extra lessons.

9. I read the book three times but I _________________ understand it.

10. James _________________ speak Japanese when he lived in Japan, but he’s forgotten most of it now.

11. I _________________ understand the chapter we had to read for homework. It was so difficult.

12. I _________________ lift this box – it’s too heavy! Would you help me? 13. Lucy _________________ make it to our meeting after all. She’s stuck in traffic at the moment.

14. John _________________ play tennis really well. He’s champion of his club.

15. Unfortunately, I really _________________ sing at all! No-one in my family is musical either.

16. When the car broke down I was really pleased because I _________________ solve the problem.

17. Julian _________________ play excellent golf when he was only ten.

18. My grandmother _________________ use a computer until last month. Since then, she’s been taking lessons at the library.

19. I _________________ open this window. I think it’s stuck!

20. Gill _________________ play the piano. She’s never studied it.

Click here to get full lesson explanation and to do the exercises