Language Use:
ELL Guide for Modals Verbs of Ability
What is ability?
Ability means being able to do something with your mind or body. We use the modals can and could to express if the subject is able to do the action of the main verb. Can is used to express ability in the present tense. Could is used to express ability in the past tense.
Statement
- I lift heavy boxes.
- Bill does not carry the bags.
- My grandmother sang songs a lot.
- My grandfather did not dance much.
Ability Statement
- I can lift 100 pounds.
- Bill can not carry the bags.
- My grandmother could sing beautifully.
- My grandfather could not dance well.
ABILITY:
Being able to do something with mind or body.
Can and could are also used to express possibility, requests and permission.
What is a modal verb?
A modal verb is an auxiliary (helping) verb that expresses a particular quality of a verb. Modal verbs are used with the infinitive (base form) of the main verb to modify its meaning.
MODALS INCLUDE WORDS LIKE:
can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would
The placement of modal verbs depends on the type of sentence or tense.
- Statement: subject + modal + base verb
- Negative Statement: subject + modal + not + base form
- Question: modal + subject + base verb
- Statement: You can walk.
- Negative Statement: You could not run.
- Question: Can you jump?
What are examples of the modal can in statements?
- Statement: subject + can + base verb
General Ability
- I can play the violin.
- John can speak English.
- I can cook fairly well.
- Darryl can change a tire.
- You can dance.
GENERAL ABILITY:
An ability or skill that has been learned. A skill that can be performed (generally well) at any time.
Statement – With Modal Can
Specific Ability
- I can play the violin later.
- John can talk in English if necessary.
- I can cook for us tonight.
- Darryl can change your tire now.
- You can dance on the stage soon.
SPECIFIC ABILITY:
An ability in specific or particular situations.
What are examples of the modal could in statements?
- Statement: subject + could + base verb
Statement – With Modal Can
Present
- I can play the violin.
- You can lift 100 pounds.
- Jane can read really well.
- He can do it really well.
- You can dance.
The modal can is used to express ability in the present tense.
Statement – With Modal Could
Past
- I could play violin at age 8.
- You could lift 150 pounds last year.
- Jane could read by her 3rd birthday.
- He could do it better yesterday.
- You could dance on that stage before.
The modal could is used to express ability in the past tense.
What are examples of the modals can and could in negative statements?
- Negative Statement: subject + can (could) + not + base form
Negative Statement – With Modal Can
Present Tense
- I can’t move my arms today.
- Jerry can’t sleep after sunrise.
- You can’t find you wallet.
- We can’t leave until noon.
- They can’t start his car.
Negative Statement – With Modal Could
Past Tense
- I couldn’t move my fingers yesterday.
- Jerry couldn’t sleep after sunrise this morning.
- You couldn’t find your wallet yesterday either.
- We couldn’t leave until noon.
- They couldn’t start his car last night.
CONTRACTIONS:
can not = can’t
could not = couldn’t
The modal could can be used in the present tense, however in the present tense could is commonly used to express possibility or permission.
What are examples of the modals can and could in questions?
- Question: modal + subject + base verb
Question – Modal Can
Present Tense – with short answer
- Can you drive a car? Yes, I can.
- Can Ellen run fast? Yes, she can.
- Can Henry change a tire? No, he can’t
- Can you stand on one leg? No, I can’t
- Can eagles fly? Yes, they can.
Question – Modal Could
Past Tense – with short answer
- Could you find John? No, I couldn’t.
- Could she beat him before? Yes, she could.
- Could you do that yesterday? No, I couldn’t.
- Could Ralphie climb that high last week? Yes, he could.
- Could the truck make it up the hill last night? Yes, it could.
How is the adjective able used to express ability?
- Ability with Able: subject + verb to be + able + to infinitive
Ability Statement – Modals Can and Could
- Jeff can move the boxes by himself.
- The boys can drive a car now.
- Finally, I can throw the ball well.
- We could see the moon last night.
- Henry couldn’t remember the number.
Ability Statement – With adjective Able
- Jeff is able to move the boxes by himself.
- The boys are able to drive a car now.
- I am able to throw the ball well finally.
- We were able to see the moon last night.
- Henry wasn’t able to remember the number.
ABLE:
Having the power, skill, ability or opportunity to do something.
Present form to be + able = can
Past form to be + able = could
