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General Ability

The document discusses the modal verb "can" and how it is used to express ability, opportunity, permission, possibility, and impossibility. It provides examples of "can" being used in the present, past, and future tenses. When used in the past, "can" shifts to "could" and when used in the future, it shifts to "be able to". It also discusses how "can" is used with ability, opportunity, permission, requests, possibilities, and impossibilities.

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31 views3 pages

General Ability

The document discusses the modal verb "can" and how it is used to express ability, opportunity, permission, possibility, and impossibility. It provides examples of "can" being used in the present, past, and future tenses. When used in the past, "can" shifts to "could" and when used in the future, it shifts to "be able to". It also discusses how "can" is used with ability, opportunity, permission, requests, possibilities, and impossibilities.

Uploaded by

Isma-MA
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Can "Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English.

It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility. Examples:

I can ride a horse. ability We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. opportunity She cannot stay out after 10 PM. permission Can you hand me the stapler? request Any child can grow up to be president. possibility

Using "Can" in Present, Past, and Future Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "can" behaves in different contexts. Modal Use Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future 1. I can speak Chinese. 2. SHIFT TO "COULD" I could speak Chinese when I was a kid. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I will be able to speak Chinese by the time I finish my course. can ability during a specific event 1. With a burst of adrenaline, people can pick up cars. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he was able to lift the car off the child's leg. Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future 1. I can't speak Swahili. 2. SHIFT TO "COULD" I couldn't speak Swahili. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I won't be able to speak Swahili. You can also use:

can general ability

be able to

1. Even with a burst of adrenaline, people can't pick up something that heavy. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" Even the weight lifter, couldn't lift the car off the child's leg.

be able to

3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he will be able to lift the car. can opportunity 1. I have some free time. I can help her now. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I had some free time yesterday. I was able to help her at that time. 3. I'll have some free time tomorrow. I can help her then. can permission 1. I can drive Susan's car when she is out of town. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO " I was allowed to drive Susan's car while she was out of town last week. 3. I can drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week. can request Can I have a glass of water? Can you give me a lift to school? Requests usually refer to the near future. can possibility, impossibility Anyone can become rich and famous if they know the right people.

3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" Even three men working together won't be able to lift the car. 1. I don't have any time. I can't help her now. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I didn't have time yesterday. I wasn't able to help her at that time. 3. I won't have any time later. I can't help her then. 1. I can't drive Susan's car when she is out of town. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO " I wasn't allowed to drive Susan's car while she was out of town last week. 3. I can't drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week. Can't I have a glass of water? Can't you give me a lift to school? Requests usually refer to the near future. It can't cost more than a dollar or two. could could, may may be able to

Learning a language can be a real challenge. This use is usually a generalization or a supposition.

You can't be 45! I thought you were about 18 years old. This use is usually a generalization or a supposition.

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