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Modals

Modals can be used to express ability.

Can, could, and be able to are used to express ability.

Can is used to show physical ability including the five sense: see, hear, feel, smell, taste.

  • I can sing. I can sing a song for you!
  • I can feel I can feel happy when you tell me a joke.
  • I like to touch my sweater. It has a wonderful texture.

Can is used to express a skill that requires training or practice.

  • He can play the piano.
  • She can play chess.
  • They can sing arias.

Can is used to express an opportunity.

  • I can buy a new suit.
  • You can buy a television set.
  • We can read a book together.

Can is used to give permission in casual situations. May is used to give permission in formal situations.

  • He can go to the park by himself.
  • She can drive the car to school.
  • You can leave as soon as you finish answering your test
  • You can go without me if you are in a hurry.

Be able to can be used instead of can in either the past or the present or will + be able to for the future.

  • I wasn't able to go to the party because I had to work.
  • She was not able to go to work because she was sick.
  • We are able to take care of ourselves.

 

Cannot and can't are both negative forms of can.

  • Most birds cannot swim.
  • Most fish cannot fly.

 

Could is the past form of can. The negative form is could not or couldn't.

  • I couldn't go to the party because I had to work.
  • She could not go to work because she was sick.

 

This page is one of PLS's English grammar pages for people who want to learn or improve their English grammar skills.