Can & Could

Modal Verbs
MICROLINS Centro de Formao Profissional
www.microlins.com.br

Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Date: _____________________________________________________________________

GRAMMAR FOCUS
MODAL VERBS - CAN & COULD

Modal Verb - CAN

Can is used to express:

Ability
Request
Permission

Modal Verb - COULD

Could is the past form of CAN. its used to express:

Ability (in the past)

Request (more polite and formal)

Can = Poder, Ser Capaz de, Saber.

CAN - FORM

Affirmative:
Subject + CAN + Verb
Ex: SHE CAN SWIM VERY WELL

Negative:
Subject + CANNOT (CANT) + Verb
Ex: I CANT READ GREEK

Interrogative:
CAN + Subject + Verb
Ex: CAN YOU HELP ME?

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Can & Could
Modal Verbs
MICROLINS Centro de Formao Profissional
www.microlins.com.br

COULD - FORM

Affirmative:
Subject + COULD + Verb
Ex: SHE COULD SPEAK ENGLISH YEARS AGO

Negative:
Subject + COULD NOT (COULDNT) + Verb
Ex: HE COULD BE AN ACTOR

Interrogative:
COULD + Subject + Verb
Ex: COULD YOU SPEAK SLOWLY?

LETS PRACTICE

01- Look at the pictures and then write affirmative and interrogative sentences using the
verbs in the box. Use the modal verb CAN.

FLY - COOK - SWIM

a) b) c)

________________________ ________________________ _______________________

________________________ ________________________ _______________________

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Can & Could
Modal Verbs
MICROLINS Centro de Formao Profissional
www.microlins.com.br

02- Write sentences in English.

a) Voc sabe danar forr?

___________________________________________________

b) Ele sabe cozinhar.

___________________________________________________

c) Sua me sabe dirigir?

___________________________________________________

d) Eu no sei nadar
___________________________________________________

03- Write questions with the words in parentheses then give short answers.

a) (You/cook)
_____________________________________________? No, I _____________.

b) (You/fix a car)
_____________________________________________? No, I ______________.

c) (You/drive)
_____________________________________________? Yes, I _____________.

d) (He/skate)
_____________________________________________? No, He _____________.

e) (She/teach French)
_____________________________________________? Yes, She ____________.

f) (They/use a computer)
_____________________________________________? Yes, They____________.

04- Rewrite the sentences. Use can.

a) I am going with you. I can go with you

b) He speaks English.
_____________________________________________________________
c) We have a good time here.
______________________________________________________
d) I walk to school in the morning.
__________________________________________________
e) She writes beautiful letters.
_____________________________________________________
f) My friends play tennis.
_________________________________________________________

05- Change the sentences to the required form.

a) We can leave for dinner. (negative)

____________________________________________________

b) They could work together. (interrogative)

____________________________________________________

c) She can go out. (negative)

____________________________________________________

d) I could not drive the car last night. (affirmative)

____________________________________________________

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Can & Could
Modal Verbs
MICROLINS Centro de Formao Profissional
www.microlins.com.br

e) Can I talk to Mrs. Smith now? (negative)

____________________________________________________