MODALS 3: ABILITY

A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to indicate ‘modality’ – permission, ability

obligation, likelihood, probability.

ABILITY
When we talk about general ability we talk about something that once you have learned you

can do it any time you want, like being able to read or speak a language.

When we talk about specific ability we talk about something that you can or can’t do in a

particular situation. For example, being able to move something very heavy or find something

you are looking for.

We can use one of the following to express ability.

MODAL MEANING / USE EXAMPLE

Present ability
I can speak English.
can / can’t General and
He can’t drive today. He’s too tired.
specific ability
could / Past ability
I could read when I was four.
couldn’t General ability
was/were Past ability I was able to get tickets for the concert but they finished
able to Specific ability right after I bought mine.
Ability that you
could have + I could have studied medicine but I preferred to become a
had in the past but
past participle nurse.
didn’t use
will / won’t be Future ability
At the end of the course you will be able to speak French.
able to General ability
Future ability I can help you tomorrow if you need me to.
can / can’t
Specific ability I can’t come to school tomorrow.

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 PRACTICE EXERCISE: MODALS OF ABILITY

A. Complete the following sentences with an appropriate modal verb.

Use ‘can’, ‘can’t’, ‘could’, ‘couldn’t’, ‘be able to’.

1. ________________ you swim when you were ten?

2. We ________________ get to the meeting on time yesterday, because the train was

delayed by one hour.

3. He ________________ arrive at the party on time, even after missing the train, so he

was very pleased.

4. He’s amazing. He ________________ speak five languages, including Chinese.

5. I ________________ drive a car until I was 34. Then I moved to the countryside, so I had

to learn.

6. I looked everywhere for my glasses but I ________________ find them anywhere.

7. I searched for your house for ages. I ________________ find it in the end, so I left.

8. She’s seven years old, but she ________________ read yet. Her parents are getting her

extra lessons.

9. I read the book three times, but I ________________ understand it.

10. James ________________ speak Japanese when he lived in Japan, but he’s forgotten

most of it now.

YOU CAN PRINT THIS PAGE TO DO THE EXERCISE. THE ANSWERS WILL BE GIVEN TOMORROW.

ESTE DOCUMENTO ES PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL DE MAXUS SERVICIOS LINGÜISTICOS S.L. CIF B-95719118.
QUEDA PROHIBIDA LA COMERCIALIZACION O USO CON FINES COMERCIALES POR PERSONAS Y COMPAÑIAS AJENAS A MAXUS SERVICIOS
LINGÜISTICOS U AQUELLAS QUE NO HAYAN PEDIDO AUTORIZACION EXPRESA PARA SU USO COMERCIAL.