E005G25 

Modals of ability fl.ch.notebook July 12, 2022

Pronunciation:
https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/can­t

BrE AmE

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E005G25 Modals of ability fl.ch.notebook July 12, 2022

Questions

?
Verb 'to be' Modal verbs (Can, Could, Must, Should, etc ...)
are
you         students
he     hungry
is can
she         play cards
are
we          clever they          swim
could
were

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E005G25 Modals of ability fl.ch.notebook July 12, 2022

Can / Can't / Could / Couldn't ­ ability in the present and the past

1. Can you read in a foreign language?
2. Could you read in a foreign language 10 years ago?
3. Can you draw? A: Can you swim?
4. Could you draw 10 years ago? B:  Yes,  I can! 
5. Can you drive? C: No, I can't.
6. Could you drive10 years ago?
7. Can you change a wheel?      
8. Could you change a wheel 10 years ago?
9. Can sail a boat?
10. Could you sail a boat 10 years ago? ­  Could you ... 10 years ago?
11. Can you make biscuits?
12. Could you make biscuits 10 years ago? ­ Yes, I could. / No, I couldn't.
13. Can you do bungee jump?
14. Could you do bungee jump10 years ago?

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E005G25 Modals of ability fl.ch.notebook July 12, 2022

a. Microsoft Excel.
b. lasagne?
c. the violin.
d. Portuguese?
e. a motorbike.

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E005G25 Modals of ability fl.ch.notebook July 12, 2022

Can / Can't ­ ability in the present.
A: Can you swim and dive?

B:   I can swim but I can't dive.

C:   I can both swim and dive.

1. Can you knit and sew? D:   I can neither swim nor dive
2. Can you act and sing?
3. Can you read and write in a foreign language?
4. Can you draw and paint?
5. Can you drive and read a map?
6. Can you change a wheel and mend a puncture?
7.  Can you row and sail a boat?
8.  Can you light a fire and put up a tent?
9.  Can you understand and speak English?
10. Can you make biscuits and cakes?

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E005G25 Modals of ability fl.ch.notebook July 12, 2022

NB The modal verb 'can' has no other forms

except for the past form 'could'

If you want to use it as part of a phrase, or a tense,

use its synonym ­ 'be able to...'

I dream of being able to swim!
Being able to swim is essential if you go on a beach holiday!
When I join the club, I'll be able to swim in the pool every day!