Probability and ability

• must/ can’t/ could/ may/ might

• can/ be able to
Dialogue 1

• A: Someone is knocking at the door.

• B: It ________1  be the pizza delivery man. I ordered a pizza.
• A: I know you ordered a pizza. But it _________2  be him, because
you ordered the pizza five minutes ago.
• B: Yes, you are right. Then it _________3  be your sister.
• A: No, it _________4  be my sister, she's out of town.
• B: Well, then just open the door; it _________5  be important.
Dialogue 2

• A: Why don't you tell me what is the matter with you?

• B: Well, I should tell you something and I think you _____6  like it.
• A: Come on! Tell me what it is. It ________7  be that bad.
• B: I don't know. I'm afraid you __________8  react badly.
• A: Then I'm sure it ____________9  be serious. Please, tell me.
• B: I saw Lindsey holding hands with another man.
• A: What?
• B: Please, I know you _________10  be upset right now, but...
• A: Dude, Lindsey and I broke up more than a year ago. Didn't you know?  
What do these sentences express?

I can teach you some sign language while we wait.

He will be able to understand you as long as you look
at him while you speak.
•  __________1 you help me with the bags, please?
• I'm free tonight, so I'll  _________2 come and help you.
• I used to ___________3  touch my toes when I was younger.
• I remember my brother ________4 draw much better than me.
• We _____ 5 get a picture of the painting because cameras were not
allowed.
• _____ 6 I come with you to the party?
• I haven't _________7 sleep very well lately.
• She says that she _________8 speak five languages fluently.
• We tried, but we _________ 9 stop the fire.
• He didn't want to come, but finally we ________10  persuade him.
1. Correct answer: Can/Could
➪ We can use both can or could to ask someone to do something
(requests) or to ask for permission.
2. Correct answer: be able to
➪ Will is a modal verb and after a modal verb, we need to use an infinitive.
➪ The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We
use be able to  for all the other verb forms: present perfect, future,
infinitive, gerund, etc
3. Correct answer: be able to
➪ After used to, we need an infinitive form.
➪ The verb can has only two forms: present (can), and past (could). We
use be able to for all the other verb forms
4. Correct answer: could (was able to is also possible)
➪ We can use both could or was/were able to to talk about general ability in
the past.

5. Correct answer: couldn't/could not (weren't able to is also possible)

➪ The negative couldn’t can be used for all situations, general ability or
permission in the past, and also when somebody didn’t do something in a
specific situation. In this sentence both couldn’t and weren't able to would be
correct.
Practice
• Workbooks, 51
• Student’s Book, 65/4