Talking about

ability
Can – could – be able to
 CAN / CAN’T
• To talk about ability in the present
situation and general;
(Lai aprakstītu kko, ko var / māk izdarīt tagad un
vispār);

e.g. I can dance.

 CAN / CAN’T
• To talk about future arrangements;
(Lai aprakstītu sarunātus plānus, tikšanās, utml.);

e.g. I can meet you at the

restaurant.
 BE ABLE TO
• To talk about future abilities (+ will);
(Lai aprakstītu kko, ko varēs izdarīt nākotnē);

e.g. I will be able to contact her.

 BE ABLE TO
• Be able to + infinitive
e.g. I am able to bake a cake without Susan’s help.
• Be able to (with present perfect)
e.g. Mike has been able to swim since he was 10.
• Be able to (-ing form)
e.g. I am tired of not being able to have
enough sleep.
 COULD/ COULDN’T
• To talk about ability in the past;
(Lai aprakstītu kko, ko varēja / mācēja izdarīt
pagātnē);

e.g. I could speak French, when I was 13.

 COULD/ COULDN’T
• With verbs – hear, smell, see, taste,
feel, if it is only one occasion.

e.g. I could smell her perfume.

 MIND!
• When we talk about one occasion,
we use expression ‘managed to’ or
‘was/were able to’. ( ‘+’ s-ces)
e.g. The burglar managed to get in through
bathroom window.
The burglar was able to get in through
bathroom window.