Make peace

Grammar Desk p39

Worksheet: Tenses and Functions of "Can"

Part 1: Tenses Identify the tense of the following sentences. Write down whether it is
in the past, present, or future tense.

1. She can play the piano.

 Tense: ________________________
2. They could have won the game.
 Tense: ________________________
3. I will be able to help you tomorrow.
 Tense: ________________________
4. He could swim when he was five.
 Tense: ________________________
5. We can't go to the party tonight.
 Tense: ________________________

Part 2: Functions of "Can" Determine the function of the modal verb "can" in each
sentence. Is it expressing ability, permission, possibility, or a request?

6. I can speak Spanish fluently.

 Function: ________________________
7. Can I borrow your pen, please?
 Function: ________________________
8. You can't enter this area without a badge.
 Function: ________________________
9. She can come to the meeting if she wants to.
 Function: ________________________
10. It can rain later, so bring an umbrella.
 Function: ________________________

Part 3: Tense and Function Integration Combine the appropriate tense and function
of "can" to create a sentence for each scenario provided.

11. (Future Tense / Ability) - You ___________________________ the exam next week.
12. (Past Tense / Permission) - He ___________________________ to go to the park
yesterday.
13. (Present Tense / Possibility) - We ___________________________ see the meteor
shower tonight.
14. (Present Tense / Request) - ___________________________ you please pass the salt?
15. (Past Tense / Ability) - She ___________________________ ride a bike when she
was four years old.
 Part 4: Create Your Own Sentences Write two sentences of your own using the
modal verb "can" with different tenses and functions.

16.

17.

Part 5: Verb Tense Review Choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses to
complete the sentences. Use the appropriate tense.

18. She ___________ (can/could) speak five languages fluently.

19. They ___________ (can/could) have arrived early if they had left on time.
20. By next year, I ___________ (can/could) drive a car.
21. Yesterday, he ___________ (can/could) finish the project on time.
22. If you study hard, you ___________ (can/could) pass the exam.

Answer Key:

Part 1: Tenses

1. Present
2. Past
3. Future
4. Past
5. Present

Part 2: Functions of "Can" 6. Ability

7. Request
8. Permission
9. Possibility
10. Possibility

Part 3: Tense and Function Integration 11. (Future Tense / Ability) - You can take
the exam next week.

12. (Past Tense / Permission) - He could go to the park yesterday.

13. (Present Tense / Possibility) - We can see the meteor shower tonight.
14. (Present Tense / Request) - Can you please pass the salt?
15. (Past Tense / Ability) - She could ride a bike when she was four years old.

Part 4: Create Your Own Sentences (Answers will vary)

Part 5: Verb Tense Review 18. can

19. could
20. will be able to
21. could
22. can