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    4A Grammar Ability and Possibility

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    SofíaFundora
    This document discusses the use of can and be able to express ability and possibility in English. It notes that can is a modal verb that is defective and only has certain tenses, while be able to must be used for other tenses like the present perfect. It also discusses typical mistakes like using can when be able to is required and leaving out the word "to". Key differences between can, may, and be able to are explained along with pronunciation notes.

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    4A Grammar Ability and Possibility

    Uploaded by

    SofíaFundora
    645 views1 page
    This document discusses the use of can and be able to express ability and possibility in English. It notes that can is a modal verb that is defective and only has certain tenses, while be able to must be used for other tenses like the present perfect. It also discusses typical mistakes like using can when be able to is required and leaving out the word "to". Key differences between can, may, and be able to are explained along with pronunciation notes.

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    This document discusses the use of can and be able to express ability and possibility in English. It notes that can is a modal verb that is defective and only has certain tenses, while be able to must be used for other tenses like the present perfect. It also discusses typical mistakes like using can when be able to is required and leaving out the word "to". Key differences between can, may, and be able to are explained along with pronunciation notes.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    645 views1 page

    4A Grammar Ability and Possibility

    Uploaded by

    SofíaFundora
    This document discusses the use of can and be able to express ability and possibility in English. It notes that can is a modal verb that is defective and only has certain tenses, while be able to must be used for other tenses like the present perfect. It also discusses typical mistakes like using can when be able to is required and leaving out the word "to". Key differences between can, may, and be able to are explained along with pronunciation notes.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    FILE 4A - ABILITY AND POSSIBILITY

    1.- CAN OR BE ABLE TO?


    • You use the modal verb CAN / CAN’T to express ability, possibility or permission.
    • It has a past tense or conditional: COULD / COULDN’T
    • But it has no present perfect or past perfect forms nor does it have an infinitive or –ing form
    • The present form can be used with future meaning.
    • For the missing forms use BE ABLE TO
    1.1.- CAN
    “Can” is a modal or defective verb. This means that this verb do not have all the forms to form all the tenses. We can use
    “can” in the following tenses:
    • Present form: He can speak Japanese.
    • Present with future meaning: Tom can’t come tonight. He is ill.
    • Past: could Bob could play the violin when he was 5.
    • Conditional: could
    • REMEMBER: The negative form, not contracted, is CANNOT
    1.2.- BE ABLE TO + INFINITIVE
    For the rest of tenses we have to use BE ABLE TO + INFINITIVE. We have to conjugate BE.
    • Present Perfect: Luke has been able to swim since he was three.
    • Future: You’ll be able to speak better in a few months.
    • Infinitive: I’d like to be able to ski.
    • Gerund: I love being able to stay in bed late on Sunday morning.
    • We can use “be able to” if we want to sound more formal in the present or past: Fortunately, I am able to accept
    your invitation. My colleagues weren’t able to come to yesterday’s meeting.
    2.- THINGS TO REMEMBER.
    1. In Spanish we use the verb “saber” and “poder” for speaking about ability and possibility. In English we use
    “can” for both.
    Can you swim? > ¿Sabes nadar?
    Can you mend this watch for me? > ¿Puedes repararme este reloj?
    2. Don’t confuse can and may:
    Can you come back this afternoon? May you come...?
    She may come back this afternoon – I’m not sure. She can come...
    3. To ask permission, use can I / we or may I / we? May is used in more formal contexts.
    Hi Rob! Can I ask you a quick question?
    I’m sorry to interrupt, Lord Jenkins. May I ask a question?
    4. Remember not to put “to” after can or could.
    3.- TYPICAL MISTAKES.
    1. Trying to use CAN where you should use BE ABLE TO
    e.g.: I want to can speak English well.
    e.g.: I won’t can come to your party on Saturday.
    2. Leaving out TO
    e.g.: I won’t be able help you.
    4.- PRONUNCIATION NOTES
    1. CAN and COULD are normally UNSTRESSED in positive (+) and interrogative (?) sentences when they are
    pronounced // and //: I can // swim.
    2. In negative (-) sentences CAN’T and COULDN’T are stressed and are pronounced // and //: I can’t
    // swim.
    IMPORTANT
    3. Do not stress CAN in positive sentences. If you say “I can do it” stressing “can”, a native speaker will probably
    understand “I can’t do it”. [REMEMBER the words that should be stressed to give rhythm to a sentence]

    Juan José López Moro | [email protected]

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