masterMind Level 1

Unit 10 Grammar 1

EXPRESSING ABILITY
 EXPRESSING ABILITY

B: Sorry, I’m terrible

at that. I’m unable to
work under pressure.

A: Is anyone here
capable of writing
an urgent business C: I could tohelp
help you.
proposal? I’m free this morning.
1. Who expresses ability using verb + infinitive? B
2. How many expressions of ability can you see?
3. Can you notice an error?
 EXPRESSING ABILITY

Look at the conversation.

Which forms for expressing ability can you identify?

I succeed in creating new
Are you able to make
and exciting ideas—
any company
something totally unique.
successful?

Yes, I can probably help anyone.

There are three different forms for expressing ability:

gerund verb + _________
verb + _______, infinitive
base form
and verb + __________.
 EXPRESSING ABILITY

Other examples of conditional forms:

Are you good at

taking risks in
business?

I don’t like risk, but I also don’t think

I’m incapable of taking risks. I do,
however, manage to minimize risk in
almost all situations.
 EXPRESSING ABILITY

Look at the examples. Which sentence is incorrect?

Are you able to calculate

the business’s profit?

work on the
He can’t works
She’s very good at latest business plan.
developing new
strategies.
TIP: Try to remember the form
used for each phrase.
 EXPRESSING ABILITY

Complete the forms.

Forms Examples
verb + infinitive I’m unable to find the latest file on
______________
this computer.
verb + base form They couldn’t improve the
______________
website.
verb + gerund We’re capable of increasing sales
_______________
figures.

These sentences all express ability, but each

uses a different form.
 EXPRESSING ABILITY

These sentences express ability. Complete them, then

match the sentences with the correct form.
1. Are you able to meet (meet)
______
deadlines?

2. You succeeded in running

______ verb + infinitive
(run) more than one
business.
verb + base form
make
3. We couldn’t ______
(make) any more profit for verb + gerund
the buyers.
 EXPRESSING ABILITY

1. Where could you insert be able in this sentence?

She will to do the job.

2. What other two expressions could you insert in the

above sentence?
manage couldn’t can
be capable of succeed in be unable
3. How would you need to rewrite the sentence to use
the other four expressions?
 EXPRESSING ABILITY

1. Use your own ideas to complete the conversation.

In 10 years’ time, will

we be able …?
Yes, but today
we still can’t …
True, but we’re already
capable of … and we’re
good at ...

2. Work in pairs. Talk to your partner.

 EXPRESSING ABILITY

Grammar wrap-up

1. When we talk about ability,

expressions such as manage, be True
capable of, and could are followed
by different forms of the verb.

2. In what situations do you think you will need to

express ability? Which structures do you feel
confident using? Which do you find more difficult?
Why?