Expressing Ability with 'Can'

Questions and Answers

Which statement correctly exemplifies the use of 'could' for past ability?

My grandmother could swim. (correct)

I could help you tomorrow.

She cannot drive a car.

Can you swim today?

Which of the following sentences demonstrates a request using 'can'?

I can read French.

He cannot sing well.

Can you lend me your book? (correct)

They could attend the concert last year.

What is the correct use of 'can' in relation to permission?

Can I go out tonight? (correct)

Could I borrow your car?

I cannot take the exam.

You can't smoke here.

Which of the following sentences would correctly reflect a future ability statement using 'can'?

I can attend the meeting next week. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the correct sentence that showcases 'could' in a request format.

Could you close the window, please? Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'be able to' indicate when used in a sentence?

A general ability to perform an action Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences correctly employs 'be able to' in the future tense?

You will be able to climb the mountain tomorrow. Signup and view all the answers

In which situation is 'could' appropriately used instead of 'be able to'?

To describe past ability only Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences is correct when using 'be able to'?

She was able to play the piano before. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between 'can', 'could', and 'be able to'?

'Can' is present tense; 'could' indicates conditional ability; 'be able to' is broader in tense. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Expressing Ability

Can

Can is a modal auxiliary verb used to express possibility and ability, make requests, and ask for permission.
Main structure for can: Subject + can + bare infinitive (main verb).
Example structures:
- Affirmative: I can play tennis.
- Negative: He cannot (can't) play tennis.
- Interrogative: Can you play tennis?

Can: Possibility and Ability

Used to describe present abilities or possibilities.
Examples:
- She can drive a car.
- John can speak Spanish.
- Negative: I cannot (can't) hear you.
- Inquiry: Can you hear me?
Can can express future ability when discussing present decisions.
- Example: I can help you tomorrow.

Can: Requests and Orders

Frequently employed to politely ask someone to perform an action.
Examples:
- Can you make a cup of coffee, please?
- Can you be quiet?

Can: Permission

Informal usage to ask or grant permission.
Examples:
- Can I smoke in this room?
- You can't smoke here, but you can smoke in the garden.
Alternative modal verbs for permission include could, may, and might.

Could

Could serves as a modal auxiliary verb for past possibilities or abilities and making requests.
Structure: Subject + could + bare infinitive (main verb).
Example structures:
- Affirmative: My grandmother could swim.
- Negative: She could not (couldn't) walk.
- Interrogative: Could your grandmother swim?

Could: Past Possibility or Ability

Used to denote what was possible or what someone could do in the past.
Examples:
- I could swim when I was five.
- My grandmother could speak seven languages.
- Negative: We could not open the door.

Could: Requests

Polite form is often used in questions to request actions.
Examples:
- Could you tell me where the bank is, please?
- Could you send me a catalogue, please?

Be Able To

Be able to consists of "be" + "able" + infinitive and is not a modal verb; it expresses ability.
Structure: Subject + be + able + infinitive.
Example structures:
- Affirmative: I am able to drive.
- Negative: She is not (isn't) able to drive.
- Interrogative: Are you able to drive?

Tenses with Be Able To

Unlike can or could, be able to can be used in all tenses.
Examples:
- I was able to drive... (past)
- I will be able to drive... (future)
- I have been able to drive... (present perfect)
“Able” indicates having the skills or means to do something.
Example comparisons:
- "I am able to swim" is synonymous with "I can swim."
- "I would like to be able to fly an airplane" corresponds to expressing future desires.

Description

This quiz explores the usage of the modal verb 'can' to express ability, possibility, and to make requests or ask for permission. Learn through examples how to form affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences with 'can'. Test your knowledge and understanding of this essential English grammar component.