Ege Academy Blog

MODAL VERBS showing ABILITY

CAN = BE ABLE TO

We use ‘can’ or ‘be able to’ to express present ability.

Check these sentences.

I can drive a car. = I’m able to drive a car.

She can cook Turkish dishes very well. = She’s able to cook Turkish dishes very well.

Nilay can repair a bike. = Nilay is able to repair a bike.

Although my grandfather is old, he can climb a mountain.

She can’t swim fast. = She isn’t able to swim fast.

Sedat and Murat can’t speak French. = They aren’t able to speak French.

( ? )

Can you ride a camel? = Are you able to ride a camel?

Can she use a typewriter? = Is she able to use a typewriter?

Can Will and Jack translate this article? = Are Will and Jack able to translate this article?

can and be able to have the same meaning. They both express present ABILITY.

We often use ‘be able to’ in written English.

PAST ABILITY

Past form of can is COULD.

Check these sentences.

When Dora was a child, he could climb the trees easily.

My grandfather could speak seven languages.

I couldn’t swim when I was 12.

ATTENTION!!!!!

****could and was/were able to don’t have the same meaning.****

• ‘could’ shows a general ability in the past. ( I could swim when I was a child )

• BUT

• was / were able to shows an ability in one single event in the past.

Although Alex didn’t play well in the last match, he was able to score two great goals. ( This is an ability in a single event. )

There was a fire at Hilton Hotel yesterday. Fortunately, the firefighters came on time and they were able to put out the fire.

I always beat Murat in tennis. However in the last game he was able to beat me.

was / were able to = managed to

As soon as she understood what the problem was, she managed to repair it.

Fenerbahçe managed to beat Chelsea in Istanbul last year. (ability in single event)

couldn’t = wasn’t / weren’t able to

**There is no difference in meaning with the negative forms.