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    Modal Verbs 1 Ability American English Student

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    aeiteachers4
    This document discusses the use of modal verbs like can, could, be able to, and managed to for expressing ability in English. It provides examples of how to use each modal verb to talk about ability in the present, past and future. There are also exercises for students to practice using these modal verbs in different tenses and contexts.

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    Modal Verbs 1 Ability American English Student

    Uploaded by

    aeiteachers4
    18 views3 pages
    This document discusses the use of modal verbs like can, could, be able to, and managed to for expressing ability in English. It provides examples of how to use each modal verb to talk about ability in the present, past and future. There are also exercises for students to practice using these modal verbs in different tenses and contexts.

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    modal-verbs-1-ability-american-english-student

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    This document discusses the use of modal verbs like can, could, be able to, and managed to for expressing ability in English. It provides examples of how to use each modal verb to talk about ability in the present, past and future. There are also exercises for students to practice using these modal verbs in different tenses and contexts.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    18 views3 pages

    Modal Verbs 1 Ability American English Student

    Uploaded by

    aeiteachers4
    This document discusses the use of modal verbs like can, could, be able to, and managed to for expressing ability in English. It provides examples of how to use each modal verb to talk about ability in the present, past and future. There are also exercises for students to practice using these modal verbs in different tenses and contexts.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    HEAAADERLOGORIGHT

    GENERAL ENGLISH · ENGLISH GRAMMAR · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

    MODAL
    VERBS 1 -
    ABILITY
    QrrkoD Scan to review worksheet

    Expemo code:
    1D3T-Z2PB-LH71

    1 Modal verbs for ability

    We use can, could, be able to, and managed to (+ infinitive without ‘to’) to say that somebody is able to
    do something.

    Use Examples

    can / can’t to say that somebody has the ability I can speak English.
    to do something in the present or Can you speak Japanese?
    future I’m sorry, I can’t come to your party
    tonight.

    be able to to say that somebody has the ability Are you able to speak any foreign
    to do something languages?
    NOTE: can is more usual than be able I’m not able to come to the
    to in the present. However, can only meeting tomorrow.
    has a present and past form (could), so I haven’t been able to sleep lately.
    sometimes it is necessary to use be able (present perfect)
    to, for example in the present perfect or He would like to be able to sing.
    infinitive. (infinitive)

    FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 1/2


    Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
    © Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in AEI JOSELYN VALERIA RAMIREZ's lessons.
    HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
    INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

    MODAL VERBS 1 - ABILITY

    Use Examples

    could/ to say that somebody had the general My cousin could play the piano
    couldn’t ability to do something in the past. when she was five.
    General ability means something My grandfather couldn’t swim.
    that you can do any time you want I couldn’t hear what she was
    after learning it, for example reading, saying.
    swimming, etc. I could smell a fire.
    We often use could + see, hear, smell,
    taste, feel, remember, understand

    was able to to say that somebody had the We were able to win the match.
    couldn’t ability to do something in a specific I wasn’t able to open the door.
    managed to situation, for example win a match, She couldn’t find you at the party.
    escape from a dangerous situation, lift Did she manage to find you?
    something, etc.

    Dialogue
    A: Can you speak Japanese?
    B: I could speak it a few years ago. But since then, I haven’t been able to find a new teacher.

    2 Practice 1 - Can/can’t or be able to

    Complete the sentences with the verbs below. If you cannot use ‘can/can’t’, use ‘be able to’ in the
    correct tense or form.

    help meet play relax run sing speak wait

    1. I’m sorry, I can’t speak French.


    2. I you for lunch tomorrow. I’m free all day.
    3. John for months. His new job is very stressful.
    4. Usain Bolt really fast. He’s the Olympic champion.
    5. I might you with your homework if you’re having problems.
    6. He used to well, but now he sounds awful.
    7. I any more. Tell me the big news.
    8. She the piano since she broke her arm two months ago.

    FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 2/2


    Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
    © Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in AEI JOSELYN VALERIA RAMIREZ's lessons.
    HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
    INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

    MODAL VERBS 1 - ABILITY

    3 Practice 2 - General or speciőc ability

    Complete the sentences below using ‘could/couldn’t’ or ‘was/were able to’ + the verbs in brackets.

    1. Benjamin Franklin (speak) English and French.


    2. I looked everywhere, but I (find) the right street.
    3. (you/convince) her to go out with you?
    4. Patricia used to be a professional dancer. She (dance) really well.
    5. We (contact) you. Was your phone switched off?
    6. At the end of the long meeting, we (make) a decision.
    7. (you/hear) me last night? I was trying to be quiet.
    8. My laptop wasn’t working properly, but in the end I (fix) it.

    In which of the sentences above can you use the structure ‘managed to’? Rewrite them.

    4 Practice 3

    Write or say some sentences about you. Write about something ...

    1. you have always wanted to be able to do (e.g. "I have always wanted to be able to sing like a
    professional singer.")
    2. you have never been able to do
    3. you will be able to do well in the future
    4. you didn’t manage to do last week
    5. you could do well in the past

    FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 3/2


    Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
    © Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in AEI JOSELYN VALERIA RAMIREZ's lessons.

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