Modals of Ability

Front

What are modals of ability?

Back

Modals of ability are auxiliary verbs used to express the capability or possibility of performing an action.

Front

Give an example of a modal of ability in the present tense.

Back

"can" is a modal of ability used in the present tense, e.g., "I can swim."

Front

Give an example of a modal of ability in the past tense.

Back

"could" is a modal of ability used in the past tense, e.g., "I could swim when I was younger."

Front

What is the negative form of 'can'?

Back

The negative form of 'can' is 'cannot' or 'can't', e.g., "I can't swim."

Front

What is the future form of 'can'?

Back

The future form of 'can' is 'will be able to', e.g., "I will be able to swim next summer."

Front

How do you express inability in the present?

Back

You can express inability in the present using 'cannot' or 'can't', e.g., "I can't open this door."

Front

How do you express inability in the past?

Back

You can express inability in the past using 'couldn't', e.g., "I couldn't find my keys."

Front

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

Back

'Can' is used for general ability, while 'be able to' is often used for specific situations or future abilities.

Front

How do you ask about someone's ability in the past?

Back

You can ask using 'could', e.g., "Could you swim when you were a child?"

Front

What is the structure for expressing future ability?

Back

The structure is 'subject + will be able to + base form of the verb', e.g., "I will be able to travel next year."