Modals Of Ability: Can, Could, Be Able To, May, Might

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Let’s start with expressing ability! We use can, be able to and could to show that someone has (or doesn’t have) an ability to do something.

Look at these examples:

Present/Future Ability Negative Past Ability Negative
Alan can swim well. Jackie cannot play piano. Paul could speak Chinese when he was a child. Mary couldn’t finish her homework last night.
I can meet you after school. We can’t visit Vancouver this weekend. Last night, there were no clouds in the sky and they could see all the stars. You couldn’t find the website this morning, could you?
I am able to speak two languages. I am not able to speak Arabic. When I was a young child, I wasn’t able to tie my shoes. I wasn’t able to finish my test yesterday.
Brenda is able to run quickly. Stacey isn’t able to finish a marathon. Shaun was able to complete the assignment. Paula wasn’t able to pass the class.
You are able to program a computer. We aren’t able to make a reservation tonight. They were able to catch six fish on their trip. You weren’t able to understand the answer, were you?

Did you notice that the verbs after “can/could/be able to” are always in the simple form? For example:

Alan can swim well.    (subject + auxiliary verb + simple verb + ...)

Do NOT change the modal auxiliary OR the main verb for he/she/it subjects. In addition, do not add “ing” or “ed”.

Alan can swims well. arrrow to the right Wrong!

Alan can to swim well. arrrow to the right Wrong!

Alan can swimming well. arrrow to the right Wrong!

Alan could swam well. arrrow to the right Wrong!

How can we make questions about ability? It’s easy!

Modal auxiliary + subject + main verb + ... ?

Can she play guitar? Could you speak English when you were a child?

BE + subject + able to + main verb + ... ?

Are you able to understand the homework? Were you able to finish the test? Was he able to pass the exam?

Notice that we do not need the verbs “do/does/did” when we make questions! The modal verb “be able to” includes the word “to”; the “to” is not an infinitive.

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