Can Using “can” in present, past, and fUtUre

“Can” is one of the most commonly used movad verbs in English. It can be used Most modal verbs behave quite irregulary in the past and the future. Study the
to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show chart below to learn how “can” behaves in different contexts.
possibility or impossibility.
Modal Positive forms Negative forms Also
Examples : Use 1. = present 1. = present use
2. = past 2. = past
 I can ride a horse. Ability
3. = future 3.= future
 We can stay with my brother when we are in paris. Opportunity
1. I can speak Chinese 1. I can’t speak Be
 She cannot stay out after 10 PM. Permission 2. SHIFT TO “COULD” Swahili able
 Can you hand me the stapler ? request I could speak chinese when I 2. SHIFT TO to
 Any child can grow up to be president. possibility Can
was a kid. “COULD” I couldn’t
general
3. SHIFT TO “BE ABLE TO” speak Swahili.
ability
I wll be able to speak Chinese by 3. SHIFT TO “BE
the time I finish my course. ABLE TO” I won’t be
able to speak Swahili
1.I have some free time. I can 1. I don’t have any time. Be
help her now I can’t help her now. able
2.SHIFT TO “BE ABLE TO” I 2. SHIFT TO “BE to
Had some free time yesterday. ABLE TO” I didn’t have 1. With a burst of adrenaline, 1. Even with a burst of Be
Can
I was able to help her at that time yesterday . i wasn’t people can pick up cars adrenaline, people able
opportuniy
time. able to help her at that 2. SHIFT TO “BE ABLE TO” can’t pick up something to
3.I’ll have some free time time. With a sudden burst of that heavy.
3. I won’t have any time Can
tomorrow. I can help her then adrenaline, he was able to lift the 2. SHIFT TO “BE
Later. I can’t help her ability
car off the child’s leg. ABLE TO” even the
during
then. 3. SHIFT TO “BE ABLE TO” weight lifter, wasn’t
With a sudden burst of able to lift the car off
A
adrenaline, he will be able to lift the child’s leg.
specific
the car. 3. SHIFT TO “BE
event
ABLE TO” even three
men workimg together
won’t be able to lift the
car.
 4.I have some free time. I can
help her now
5.SHIFT TO “BE ABLE TO” I
Had some free time yesterday.
Can
I was able to help her at that
opportuniy
time.
6.I’ll have some free time
tomorrow. I can help her then
4. I don’t have any time. Be
I can’t help her now. able
5. SHIFT TO “BE to
ABLE TO” I didn’t have
time yesterday . i wasn’t
able to help her at that
time.
6. I won’t have any time
Later. I can’t help her
then.