Welcome students!

LESSON 3
USES OF CAN,
COULD, AND TO
BE ABLE TO
Teacher Alessandro
CAN/COULD vs TO BE ABLE TO
Can/could and to be able to are mostly used in the same
way without a difference in meaning, but not always…

For this lesson, we'll se how ‘Can’ is a modal verb that

expresses general ability in the present tense; ‘could’ works
the same way, but in the past tense.

‘To be able to’ is not a modal verb. It is the conjugated verb

‘to be’ with the adverb ‘able’ (and the infinitive ‘to’).
 CAN/COULD, TO BE ABLE TO:
ABILITY (1)
We use "can"/"to be able to" in the present tense to talk
about a general ability or an ability at a particular moment
("Can" is much more common among native speakers).
Examples:
a) I can play the piano.
b) She is able to teach very well.
c) He can come now.
d) They are able to see us.
 CAN/COULD, TO BE ABLE TO:
ABILITY (2)
We use "could" and "was/were able to" to talk about a past
ability that existed for a long time (but no longer exists).
Examples:
a) I could talk more when I was there.
b) I was able to speak three languages.
c) He could walk as a free man. Now, he can't.
d) She was able to do what she wanted.
 CAN/COULD, TO BE ABLE TO:
ABILITY (3)
We use "was/were able to" to talk about an ability in a single
event or occasion.
Examples:
a) I was able to surprise my boss in the meeting.
b) I was able to pass that test yesterday.
c) He wasn't able to be on time.
d) We were able to record a video for the class.
 CAN/COULD, TO BE ABLE TO:
ABILITY (4)
We use "to be able to" to talk about future abilities.
Examples:
a) I will be able to try again.
b) Sarah will be able to teach English.
c) He won't be able to go the USA.
d) John won't be able to speak with them.
e) Will you be able to call me back?
 CAN/COULD, TO BE ABLE TO:
ABILITY (5)
We use "can" and "to be able to" to talk about future
decisions or arragements.
Examples:
a) They can attend the class tomorrow.
b) I will be able to call her next week.
c) We can send you an e-mail
in two days.
d) I will be able to travel next month.
WE CAN ALSO USE
"TO BE ABLE TO"
WITH MODALS
 "To be able to" simple sentence structure

Subject + be able to + verb + complement (+)

Subject + be (neg) able to + verb + complement (-)
Be + subject + able to + complement? (Closed ?)
W/H + Be + subject + able to + verb + complement? (Open ?)

Modal + "To be able to" sentence structure

Subject + M.V. + be able to + verb + complement (+)

Subject + M.V. neg + be able to + verb + complement (-)
M.V. + subject + be able to + complement? (Closed ?)
W/H + M.V. + subject + be able to + verb + complement? (Open ?)
 CAN/COULD, TO BE ABLE TO:
MODALS
We can use "to be able to" with "may"/"might" (possibility),
"should" (probability), and "must" (obligation) with different
meanings.
Examples:
a) I may be able to help you (Possibility)
b) She should be able to call later (Probability)
c) You must be able to learn the lesson (Obligation)
 WE ALSO USE
"KNOW HOW TO"
AS "CAN/COULD"
OR "TO BE ABLE TO"
 CAN/COULD, TO BE ABLE TO:
KNOW HOW TO (1)
We use "know how to" as a way to express knowledge and
ability (just like "can/could" or "to be able to").
Examples:
a) I know how to write a composition.
b) She knew how to drive.
c) They will know how to think in English.
d) We don't know how to do that.
 CAN/COULD, BE ABLE TO:
KNOW HOW TO (2)
We use "would like to know how to" as a way to express wish
for knowledge and ability.
Examples:
a) I would like to know how to write a composition.
b) She would like to know how to drive.
c) They would like to know how to think in English.
d) Andrew wouldn't like to know how to play soccer.