SESSION 9:

MODAL CAN FOR

ABILITIES

Mrs. MARIA PACHECO

ENGLISH R GROUP
POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
DIALOGUE
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
WHAT CAN YOU DO?

I can swim
I can cook

I can sing I can play the piano

 MODAL “ CAN ”
“Can” is a modal verb and is used like an auxiliary. We use can for:

 Possibility and Ability: We use “Can” to talk about what is possible, what we
are able or free to do:
Examples:
She can drive a car.
I can speak English.

 Requests and Orders: We often use can in a question to ask somebody to do

something:
Examples:
Can you make a cup of coffee, please?
Can you be quiet?

 Permission: We sometimes use can to ask or give permission for something:

Examples:
Can I smoke here?
Can I come in?
 FORMS OF MODAL “CAN”
 Affirmative and Negative Form

Subject modal “can” main verb (base complement

form)
I/We/You/They sing like an angel.
can / can’t play the guitar.
speak English.

He/She/It
 Interrogative Form:
modal “can” Subject main verb (base complement
form)

I/We/You/They sing like an angel?

Can play the guitar?
speak English?

He/She/It
Reading
1. Gary Hampton, a hotel manager, and Viviane Lisboa, a driver, are
exchanging Jobs. Predict the answers. Then, read the text and check your
answers.
1. __________________ likes the new job.
2. __________________ doesn’t like the new job.

2. Read the text and complete the sentences with V (Viviane), G (Gary) or B
(Both).
1. _____ can speak several languages.
2. _____ can drive a truck.
3. _____ can’t read maps.
4. _____ can’t sing.
5. _____ can’t speak Japanese.
Reading
Speaking
Take turns interviewing each other.
Examples: Can you use a computer? Can you type fast?

Which type of job can your partner do?

Luis can be an administrator. He can use a computer, speak a foreign language and manage his
time.
Luis can be an artist because he can dance and sing.
Writing
Think about your job skills. Write about the skills you have and the skills you don’t have
now, but want to learn. Use can and can’t

My name is Maria Pacheco and I work as an English teacher. I love

my job. I can speak English. I can understand written texts and oral
messages in English. I can teach using a virtual platform and digital
tools.
I also have other skills. I can repair some things at home. I can
dance and sing well. Also, I can swim and play chess. I like making
vanilla cake, so I can do it quite well.
However, I can’t drive a car or ride a bike. I can’t speak other foreign
languages. I can’t play an instrument or another sport.
There are some things that I can’t do now, but I would like to learn
them some day.