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Can / Could

 Expressing Ability

 

 

 

Can expresses four types of ability:
PHYSICAL ABILITY MENTAL ABILITY POTENTIAL ABILITY ABILITY TO SUCCEED IN REACHING A GOAL
laptop  brain clarkson Music Download

The Internet can transfer video files onto personal computers.

People can find use computers.

Contestants can become famous after appearing on American Idol

I was able to buy an iphone after saving for two months.

(Used for a single occurrence, a moment of completion or success; cannot use could)

 

 

Physical Ability
CAN BE ABLE TO

To have the physical ability.

To have the physical ability.

High-speed connections can download large music files in seconds.

High-speed connections are able to download large video files in seconds.

People can exercise to lose weight.

People are able to exercise to lose weight.

Smart phones can connect to the Internet.

Smart phones are able to connect to the Internet.

 

Mental Ability
CAN KNOW HOW TO

To have the mental ability or capacity

To have the mental ability or capacity

We can solve our economic problems

We know know how to solve our economic problems.

Engineers can design safer buildings.

Engineers know how to design safer buildings.

Farmers can grow pesticide-free fruit and vegetables.

Farmers know how to grow pesticide-free fruit and vegetables.

 

Potential Ability
CAN HAVE POTENTIAL

To have the possibility of; be capable of becoming

To have the possibility of; be capable of becoming

Overspending can crash the economy of a country.

Overspending potentially crashes the economy of a country.

Overeating can cause diabetes.

Overeating potentially causes diabetes.

Singing contestants can become famous by appearing on American Idol.

Singing contestants potentially become famous by appearing on American Idol.

 

 

An Ability to Succeed
COULD WAS ABLE TO

*Not used.  Could is used for multiple occurrences, habitual activity.

Used for a single occurrence, a moment of completion or success; "manage to"

*I practiced a lot and by fall, I could get my driver's license.

I practiced a lot and by fall, I was able to get my driver's license.

 

Through hard work and excellent research, they were able to find a cure for the disease.

 

After saving for five years, they were able to buy their own home.

 (Also see  So used with Could )

 

 

 

 

 

Sentence Forms

Word Order

 

 

 

  AUX. VERB SUBJECT MODAL + VERB BASE  

STATEMENT

 

You

can cook

dinner.

You

are able to fix

your bicycle.

QUESTION

 

You

know how to cook

Veal Marsala.

Can

you

lift

that computer by yourself?

Are

you

able to use

your phone in this building?

NEGATIVE 

 

You

can't come

home early.

You

are not able to come

home early.

PAST

 

You

could stay up

all night when I was 18.

You

was able stay up

all night on New Years.

ADVERBS 

 

You

can usually cook

dinner in an hour.

You

are also able to

do my homework.

 

 

 

 

 

Practice

Determine the Meaning

 

 

 

What is the meaning of "can" in the sentences?
# YOUR RESPONSE CHECK ANSWER
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

 

 

 

Which modal phrase can replace the modal phrase in each of these sentences? 

*indicates an incorrect answer.

 

# MODAL SENTENCE   YOUR RESPONSE HINT

6.
When I was little , I wanted to drive, but I couldn't.

 

 


 
7. Now, I am taking a driving course so that I can drive a car.

 
8. If I'm not careful, I can cause an accident.  (mental ability)
(physical ability)
(potential ability)

 
9. After practicing for a month, I was able to shift gears without causing the car to shake. (mental ability)
(physical ability)

 
10. From then on, I could shift gears with ease. (potential ability) 
(physical ability)

 
11. The only problem now is that I have to ask my parents if I can have the car keys. (mental ability)
(physical ability)
     

 

 

 

 

 

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