Modals of ABILITY in English, Definiton and Examples

Modals of ABILITY in English, Definiton and Examples

We use the modal CAN to talk about ability in the present.

• I can speak English
• You can drink my tea and read my book then.
• I can meet you tomorrow.
• She is old. She can’t play tennis.
• Can I ask a question?

As can and could cannot be used to talk ability in all tenses, we use be able to in other tenses.

• They are not able to write correctly.
• Will they be able to find the key?
• Will she be able to cope with the work?
• The child is not yet able to write.

We use the modal verb COULD to talk about ability in the past.

• When I was 6, I could ride a bike.
• We couldn’t go out.
• What could they draw? They could draw a horse.
• He could speak seven languages in thirties.