Worksheet 2 modals can, cant, could, couldnt, was were able to, managed to can and sometimes be able to natural or learned ability could, couldnt, was able general ability in the past was able to. We do not normally use could to say that somebody managed to do something on one. They are auxiliary verbs that provide additional and. Difference between can and be able to english grammar. It includes an introduction, presentation, and practice. We use can to say that something is possible or that somebody has the ability to do something. In this example can expresses the ability to cook dinner.
Modal verbs can, could, may, might, should, must, would, will and shall are different from other verbs. They can play the piano they will be able to play the piano in the future. English esl can or be able to worksheets most downloaded. But as to be able to do is just a paraphrase for can you can always replace cancould by a form of to be able, theoretically. I would love to be able to show this to my students. Be able to is not normally used in passive structures. And now, its connected to the adobe document cloud. When the car broke down i was really pleased because i was able to solve the problem. We can express our ability to do something by using can or be able to.
Can, could and to be able to exercise infinitive present past past participle to be able to can s could had the ability to been able to. It will help clear up your doubts about how to use english words correctly, so that you can speak and write more confidently. Wrapup by having students compare answers with classmates, and then choose one or two students to write their answers on the board. But of course, the modal verb is shorter and where cancould is possible you use.
She could play the violin when she was three s was able to ma naged to. Here the auxiliary cant should be followed by a verb. Could is used to talk about ability that existed in the past compare. There are a few free word processing packages available for windows but none come close to the features offered by ableword.
Difference between could and can difference between. Ability we use cancould to describe ability, and we use cantcouldnt to describe absence of ability she could play the piano very well children cant concentrate for long periods of time i can. Offer starts on jan 8, 2020 and expires on sept 30, 2020. If you want to use the present perfect for example, theres no way to use can or could, so you need to use be able to. English grammar today a reference to written and spoken english grammar and usage cambridge dictionary. It is highly compatible with popular document formats including. A collection of english esl can or could worksheets for home learning, online practice, distance learning and english classes to teach about. Ability we use can could to describe ability, and we use can tcouldnt to describe absence of ability she could play the piano very well children can t concentrate for long periods of time i can speak chinese possibility we also use can to talk about possibility. When the car broke down i was really pleased because i was. Editor kory stamper gives an explanation of how they are used could, would, and can are all modal verbs for more on some modal verbs, click here, and. I wont be able to start university until next year.
They are able to do the job faster than anyone else. Can, could and be able to esl worksheet by peitieiros. You you he can he cant she could she couldnt it it we we they they yes, no, i drive. Then do these exercises to check your understanding of modal verbs. However, can and could cant be used in all verb tenses. Its the only pdf viewer that can open and interact with all types of pdf. Can, could and would exercises watch the video and read the conversation between sophie and mei. For all other verb forms infinitive, gerund, present perfect, etc. This free multiplechoice quiz tests how well you understand the difference between can, could and be able to. Both could and be able to can be used to say that we were not capable of doing something on a specific occasion. Grammar worksheet all things grammar grammar focus can and could level lower intermediate answer key my notes 1. But be able to is more formal and is not as common.
To practice the use of could, set up a role play for your students. English esl can or could worksheets most downloaded 79. Could and can both mean the same thing, which is why they are commonly confused. Whats the difference between can, could, and able to. Do you think youll be able to get a job when you leave college. The word could is a form of the word can, but the two are used in very different contexts. Can could worksheet can could would exercises can could handout can. In this modal verbs of ability activity, students play a true or false game to practice modal verbs of ability and expressions with be able to. One person is a house guest who has over stayed his welcome but has no other place to go. Can is used to express ability, willingness, permission, or possibility. Can and be able to english practice learn and practice. Modal verbs worksheets, printable exercises pdf, handouts.
Make note of the fact that verbs never change after can. Intermediate level grammar worksheets fill in the spaces in this exercise to help students differentiate between can, could and be able to. Can and to be able to are usually used in the same way without a difference in meaning, but not always can is a modal auxiliary verb that expresses general ability in the present tense. Having sufficient power or resources to accomplish something. We use can to talk about what is possible, what we are able or free to do. Modal verbs of ability esl activities games worksheets. Julian could play excellent golf when he was only ten. Wrapup by having students compare answers with classmates, and then choose one or two. Divide the class into two groups a and b and give each student a. We were able to escape the fire circle the correct answer. In spite of climbing for hours, we couldnt get to the top of the mountain. Often, you can use both can and be able to to talk about ability.
Be able to is often similar to can and we may use it instead of can to talk about ability. A collection of english esl can or be able to worksheets for home learning, online practice, distance learning and english classes to teach about. Past participle to be able to can couldhad the ability to been able to. Can, could, be able to modal verbs for ability video. There are currently be able to worksheets and activities in this section. In this lesson we look at can, could and be able to, followed by a quiz to check your understanding. If none is possible, use be able to in the correct tense. Can is used to talk about present or general ability. Complete the sentences with the modals can, cant, could, couldnt. This worksheet is actually an entire lesson plan on be able to, can, and could. Would it be possible for you to send a powerpoint copy to.