modals

Modal Verbs of Ability & Possibility

Modals of Ability

How to use Can

Modals of possibility

Can, Could, Be able to

Can and can't

use for talk about someone's skill or general ability

present or future

we can't see anything

she can swim like a fish

they can't sing very well, can they?

you can make a lot of money if you work hard

use for talk about generally about a skill or ability in the past

Could

past

she could swim like a fish

they couldn't sing very well

could + have + past participle

had ability/ opportunuty but didn't do it

i could have danced all night

use with the sense:

see, hear, smell, feel, taste

From the top of the hill, we could see for miles

i can smell something burning

Be able to

use for talk about generally about a skill or ability in the past

after modal verbs

i'm free evening, i might be able to go to the party with you

was/were able to

in one particular occasion

mom didn't have any money on her but fortunately she was able to pay by credit card

perfect and future

i have been very busy so i haven't been able to cook diner

when you've finished this lesson you will be able to understand modals of ability in english

Manage

he manage to save money despite his samall salary

past

future

present

i could speak english

i wasn't able to speak english

they were able to speak english

could

to be able to (ser capaz de...)

was/were

can

to be able to

am are is

i can speak english

i am able to speak english

they are able to speak english

to be able to

i will be able to speak english

i am going to be able to speak english

1.she can play the guitar but she can't sing

2.we were not/weren't able to finish the homework

3.juan will not/won't be able to go to the movies tonight

4.i couldn't practice english yesterday but i will be able to practice english tomorrow

Must, might, may, will,, would, can, could, shall, should

rules for all modal verbs

1. Modals do not change

2.Modals are followed by infinitive without to

3.Negative modals use not or n't

4.In questions the subject and the modals are inversed

5.Modals have no past form

he must go

not

he musts go

it might rain

not

it might to rain

he might not win

not

he don't might win

could it rain?

not

do it could rain?

not

i musted go

it may rain tomorrow

at the party , i might dance

modal verbs od possibility:

may, might, could

she may be in the garden

she could be at work

ask tony he might know

countinuos form

may be

might be +ing

could be

i may be playing tenis

i could be sleeping

i might be watching tv