Can, could, be able to

Can, could, be able to

By Natalia Estrada

CAN & BE ABLE TO

Modals of ability in the present.

Can/can´t and be able to refer to general ability in the present.

• He can sing very well.

• I can´t cook tamales.

• she is able to speak english.

• They aren´t able to communicate clearly. ​

We often use "be able to" instead of "can" in formal contexts.

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COULD & BE ABLE TO

​MODALS OF ABILITY IN THE PAST

We use could, to talk about a general skill that someone had in the past.

​BUT

Use couldn´t or was/were able to when talking about an ability someone had (or didn’t have) on a single past occasion.

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COULD & BE ABLE TO

• I was able to surprise my teacher yesterday.

(Not could because it was a single event)

• ​When I was young, I could speak two languages.

​ (Speak is a general ability)

​

NOTE: You can use​ "be able to" for past general abilities in a formal context. But NEVER use could for single events.

Subject | Subject

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MODALS IN OTHER TENSES​

•You will be able to do first aid and resuscitation.

•You’re going to be able to stay calm in a crisis.

•I know I need to be able to climb out of the deep end too, so I´m practicing.

•Being able to join the course is very important to me, so I’m working very hard to improve my skills.

​

Note: Never use can or could with gerunds or infinitives nor future expressions.

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Multiple Choice

___ you hear the fireworks from your house last night?

• can

• could

Multiple Select

Select two possible answers.

Do you think you ___ write that report by Tuesday? I know you’re very busy.

• can

• could

• will be able to

Multiple Choice

She ___ touch my toes. See!

• could

• can

• are able to

Multiple Select

I ___ spend another moment in that restaurant. It was too noisy.

• can´t

• couldn´t

• wasn´t able to

• weren´t able to

Multiple Choice

___ play professional tennis, you must be extremely fit.

• To can

• can

• To be able to

Multiple Choice

I'm afraid I ___ attend the meeting, I’m not in the city, I´m on business trip in Japan.

• can

• couldn´t

• won´t be able to

Multiple Choice

I hate not _________ understand my Chinese teacher

• can´t

• couldn´t

• being able to

Multiple Choice

When he was little, he ________ speak french.

• can

• was able to

Multiple Choice

After 6 hours climbing, we _______  reach the top of the mountain.

• are able to

• were able to

• can

Multiple Choice

Yesterday I lost my keys and I looked for them everywhere, but I ________  find them.

• wasn't able to

• couldn´t

• can´t