): • We can see the lake from our bedroom window. Can, could and be able to. 9. 8. Can - could - be able to ID: 936 Language: English School subject: English as a Second Language (ESL) Grade/level: 11 Age: 15-18 Main content: Modal verbs Other contents: Add to my workbooks (259) Download file pdf Embed in my website or blog Add to Google Classroom Add to Microsoft Teams … Fangen wir an mit „can“ und „be able to“: Wir benutzen „can“ und „be able to“ wenn jemand fähig ist etwas zu tun oder wenn etwas möglich ist: „You can see the school from our kitchen.“ “I can come and kiss you tomorrow.” Beides ist also möglich. Modals of Ability: Can, Could, Be able to, May, Might Introduction. 12. When talking/writing about ability in the present tense you can use … 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; ‘could’ works the same way, but in the past tense. I couldn't come last night, sorry. For Example: I can answer that question = I am able to answer that question (sounds a little formal) Similarly, here are some examples in which the speaker is talking about his/her ability in the past. I can’t / am unable to understand what you want. CAN/COULD (AFFIRMATIVE) CANNOT/COULD NOT (NEGATIVE) BE ABLE TO (AFFIRMATIVE) BE ABLE TO (NEGATIVE) PAST ABILITY: He could run very fast when he was a child. IMPORTANT: If someone was in the position to … Could in the past means the general ability to do something. You could borrow my car if you asked. … Use 'can' or 'be able to' to express an ability or possibility. He could swim when he was five. War can / could break out any day. Many modal verbs have more than one meaning. ‘To be able to’ is not a modal auxiliary verb.It is the conjugated verb ‘to be’ + the adverb ‘able’ + the infinitive ‘to’. 11. can; could; be able to; may; might; Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ability, permission, possibility, and necessity. • I can come and see you tomorrow if you like. 6. Moreover, … Can, could, be able to. The negative is can't (= cannot): • I'm afraid I can't come to the party on Friday. 7. Live worksheets > English > English as a Second Language (ESL) > Modal verbs > Can - could - be able to. 10. OR I wasn't able to come last night, sorry. This shows … Unterschiede zwischen can, could und be able to. Can / Could I ask you something if you are not too busy? • Can you speak any foreign languages? They are always followed by the simple form of a verb. I could have won the race if I tried. I might be able to come. One day, I will be able to afford a home and a car. We use can to say that something is possible or that somebody has the ability to do something. These five verbs are examples of modal verbs. Both can and be able to can be used to explain the ability of a person, especially when they try to do something. NOTE: The future of 'be able to' is 'will be able to. could be able to These words are used to talk about ability, awareness, and possibility. They were able to get tickets for the concert. For example, Alan can swim well. I could walk much faster when I was 15 = I was able to walk much faster when I was 15. We use can + infinitive (can do / can see etc. I was able to finish before 6.