INSTITUTO DE EDUCACION SUPERIOR TECNOLOGICO PRIVADO “SAN

Lesson 6: MODAL VERBS OF ABILITY

The modal verbs of ability are a type of modal verbs that are used mainly to express
the ability or possibility that someone has to perform an action. These modal verbs are
can, could, and be able to. In Spanish it would be equivalent to poder, saber y
ser
capaz de.

Samuel can speak four languages. I am able to finish my exam.

Samuel puede hablar cuatro idiomas. No soy capaz de terminar mi examen

 We use can to express ability.

 Can is the same in all persons.
CAN / CAN´T  The negative of can is cannot or can´t.
Its main uses are:
1. Refer to physical or mental abilities that someone possesses.

He can't swim.
(El) No puede nadar.

2. Ability to perform an action.

My car can go very fast.

Mi coche puede ir muy rápido.

3. In addition, can also serve to make requests and to ask or give

permission.

Can you pass me the salad?

(Tú) ¿Puedes pasarme la ensalada?
Katherine Paytán
 INSTITUTO DE EDUCACION SUPERIOR TECNOLOGICO PRIVADO “SAN

I. AFFIRMATIVE AND NEGATIVE SENTENCES:

I

He

She
can can´t
It jump high.

We

You

They

1. Complete the sentences with can and/or can

´t.

a) Ostriches are birds, but they …………… fly. They ……………. run fast.
b) Penguins have wing, but they ………………. fly.
c) People ……………. talk, but animals……………….
d) A kangaroo ……………jump up to 6 feet high.
e) Fish ………………swim, but they …………………walk.
f) A dolphin ………………live out water.
g) A horse …………. sleep on its feet. What other animals can do the same?
h) Cats are very lazy. They ……………… sleep for up to 18 hours a day.
i) Elephants ………………. jump because they are very heavy.
j) Deer …………. sleep very much. They sleep for just about 3 hours a day.

2. Read the text and find sentences with can or can

´t.
-
-
-
-
Elephants are big, wild animals. They live in the jungle. The elephant has large ears, a
trunk and two tusks under its trunk. Elephants’ trunks are very heavy. Elephants
cannot drink with their trunks. The elephant´s teeth are its tusks. Elephants can dig
with their tusks they have families of 6 to 12 members. Elephants are very smart
animals. Some elephants can even paint beautiful with their trunks!

II. INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES:

I

He
Can jump high?
She

It

Katherine Paytán
 INSTITUTO DE EDUCACION SUPERIOR TECNOLOGICO PRIVADO “SAN

We Yes, can.

You No, can´t.

They

1. Ask and answer questions.

a) Can you play soccer?
b) Can your mother swim?
c) Can your father play the guitar?
d) Can your father dance?
e) Can a baby run?
 Be able to expresses ability.
BE ABLE TO / NOT BE ABLE TO  Be able to can be conjugated in any
tense, using (am, is, are)
To be able to...  To do the times that CAN can't.
She's able to learn.  The meaning is the same in spanish
Ella es capaz de aprender. (saber, poder o ser capaz de)

Be able to has the same uses as can and could:

1. Habilidades físicas o mentales y capacidad de realizar una acción.

My sister is able to / can You aren't able to / can't fly.

speak No eres capaz de volar.
Japanese.
Mi hermana es capaz de hablar
japonés.
2. In the other verb tenses, be able to will be used, since can is only possible
in sentences in the present tense.

We have been able to fix your Will she be able to go on

dress. the trip?
Hemos podido arreglarte el (Ella) ¿Podrá ir de viaje?
vestido.

Katherine Paytán
 INSTITUTO DE EDUCACION SUPERIOR TECNOLOGICO PRIVADO “SAN

I. GRAMMAR STRUCTURE SENTENCES:

STRUCTURE EXAMPLES

+ Subject + am / is / are + able to + infinitive I'm able to do it.

Puedo hacerlo.

- Subject + am not / isn't / aren't + able to + I'm not able to do it.

PRESENT infinitive No puedo hacerlo.

? Am / is / are + subject + able to + infinitive ? Am I able to do it?

(yo) ¿Puedo hacerlo?

1. Complete the sentences with be able to and/or not be able to.

a) Y es capaz de encontrar la solución a problemas difíciles.

And he find the solution to difficult problems.

b) Yo no soy capaz de hacer eso.

I' do that.

c) Quiero ser capaz de encontrar el camino por mi misma.

I want find the way by myself.

Katherine Paytán