MODAL VERBS

CAN, COULD: Ability

PRESENT He can swim really fast- They CAN’T /CANNOT swim really fast- CAN you swim really
fast?

PAST He could swim really fast- I COULDN’T swim really fast.- COULD you swim really fast?

BE ABLE TO: Ability

FUTURE will be able to/won’t be able to

I won’t be able to speak Chinese in my live, it’s very difficult. /I will be able to speak Chinese in
a few years because I’m studying it./ WILL you BE ABLE TO speak English at the end of the
year?

BE ABLE TO (present or past)

I’m able to swim for hours

You were able to swim/He was able to swim