Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which statement correctly exemplifies the use of 'could' for past ability?
Which statement correctly exemplifies the use of 'could' for past ability?
Which of the following sentences demonstrates a request using 'can'?
Which of the following sentences demonstrates a request using 'can'?
What is the correct use of 'can' in relation to permission?
What is the correct use of 'can' in relation to permission?
Which of the following sentences would correctly reflect a future ability statement using 'can'?
Which of the following sentences would correctly reflect a future ability statement using 'can'?
Signup and view all the answers
Identify the correct sentence that showcases 'could' in a request format.
Identify the correct sentence that showcases 'could' in a request format.
Signup and view all the answers
What does the phrase 'be able to' indicate when used in a sentence?
What does the phrase 'be able to' indicate when used in a sentence?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following sentences correctly employs 'be able to' in the future tense?
Which of the following sentences correctly employs 'be able to' in the future tense?
Signup and view all the answers
In which situation is 'could' appropriately used instead of 'be able to'?
In which situation is 'could' appropriately used instead of 'be able to'?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following sentences is correct when using 'be able to'?
Which of the following sentences is correct when using 'be able to'?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main difference between 'can', 'could', and 'be able to'?
What is the main difference between 'can', 'could', and 'be able to'?
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
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.
