Modals of Ability: Modal Verbs To Express Ability

Modals of Ability! Learn how to use ModalVerbsto express ability in English with useful grammar rules, example sentences, video and ESL picture.

How to Use Modal Verbs To Express Ability

Ability can be expressed usingmodal verbsand phrases.

Present Forms | Modals of Ability

Be able to

• Form:

Is/am/are(not) able to + main verb

• Usage:

This form may be used in positive or negative, for general or specific ability.

• Modalverb examples:

Jamesis able tocook steak.

Davidis not able tocook steak.

Can/Can’t

• Form:

Can/Can’t + main verb

• Usage:

This form may be used in positive or negative, for general or specific ability.

• Examples:

Richardcanspeak French fluently.

Gabriellacan’tspeak French fluently.

Past Forms | Modals of Ability

Be able to

• Form:

Was/were(not) able to + main verb

• Usage:

This form may be used, in positive or negative, for general or specific ability.

• Examples:

Maxwas able toswim fast when he was a young boy.

Jenniferwas not able todance when she was eight.

Could/Couldn’t

• Form:

Could/Couldn’t + verb

• Usage:

Could, in positive, is only used for general ability.

Couldn’tis used for general or specific.

• Examples:

Icouldswim when I was six.

My sistercouldn’tplay the piano when she was five.

Managed to

• Form:

Managed to + verb

• Usage:

This form is only used for specific ability: one time, one situation.

• Example:

Police finallymanaged tocatch the culprit.

Future Forms | Modals of Ability

Be able to

• Form:

Will/won’t able to + main verb

• Usage:

此表格只用于一般的能力。

• Example:

Journalistswill be able topreview theexhibitiontomorrow.

Can/can’t

• Form:

Can/Can’t + verb

• Usage:

This form may be used, in positive or negative, for general or specific ability.

• Examples:

Icanhelp you tomorrow.

Ican’tcome to her birthday party.

Modals of Ability | Image

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Last Updated on July 17, 2019