Expressing AbilityAbility in English

• In this grammar presentation, you will learn how to talk about:

•Present AbilityPresent Ability•Future AbilityFuture Ability•Past AbilityPast Ability

Modals are special auxiliaries that have meaning. Can & could are used in English to describe our abilities.

• Use can to talk about present or future abilities

• Use could to talk about past abilities

Examples . . .Present Abilities:1. Melissa can type very quickly.

22. My friends know how to play the piano. They can play very well. .

3. 3. I can’t speak Italian, but I’d like to learn.

Future abilities:1. The teacher can assist you after

class if you have any questions.

2. We can help you move this weekend if you’d like.

3. You can improve your computer skills if you practice a lot this semester.

Past Abilities:1. Two years ago, they couldn’t afford

to buy a house in San Diego, but now they can.

2. The test was difficult. I couldn’t figure out some of the answers.

3. Sara couldn’t attend the party because she already had plans.

Use ___________ or _____________ to talk about:

• Present (current) abilities• Future abilities

Use ______________ or

______________ to talk about:

•Abilities in the Past

What FORM of the main verb comes after CAN or

COULD?

She can ____________ many languages.

When I was a child, I could ____________ very well.

Final Note . . .

Because CAN and COULD are auxiliaries, they are used with ALL subjects in English. For example:

CANlearn English.

COULD

Practice!

What are some abilities or skills that you currently have? What can you do?

--Share some examples with your class.

What were some abilities or skills that you had when you were a child? What things could you do?

--Share some examples with your class.

• Another way to talk about abilities in English is by using the expression: BE ABLE TO.

• This expression can be used to talk about present, future or past abilities. To change the tense, you must change the verb BE to the appropriate form.

What are the present tense forms of the verb BE?

What are the past tense forms of the verb BE?

He, she, it3rd person singular

IYou, We, They3rd person plural

IHe, She, It3rd person singular

You, We, They3rd person plural

For the future form, use:

Notice that it’s much easier to use WILL for the future.

Present Tense:

1. I am able to give you a ride home today.

To make these sentences negative, simply put NOT after the verb “BE.” To practice, say these sentences in the negative form with your classmates.

2. Sandra is able to work overtime at her job.

3. . The students are able to study for free at ECC.

Past Tense:1. I was able to buy my new DVD

player at a discount at Costco.

2. The students were able to practice the spelling and vocabulary words last week on the computer.

Now, say these sentences in the negative form with your classmates.

Future Tense:

3. The counselor is going to be able to meet with you later this afternoon.

Now, say these sentences in the negative form with your classmates.

1. Next Friday, you will be able to sleep late because it’s a holiday and we won’t have class.

2. They will be able to take a vacation next year if they start saving their money now.

Go to the following website address to practice the grammar:

www.quia.com/quiz/725567.html