Showing posts with label Ability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ability. Show all posts
Saturday, 15 November 2025
Saturday, 2 April 2016
MODAL VERB: CAN vs COULD vs BE ABLE TO
These charts show the different concepts behind modal verb CAN/COULD, and distinguishes the confusing uses between them. Concept: Ability, Possibility, Permission and Request. Uses: Present/Past, Poltiness/Informal
Tuesday, 29 March 2016
CONFUSING MODAL VERBS
On this post we're going to distinguish the use of modal verbs in pairs that can be confusing. For the basics on modal verbs click to this previous post HERE.
1) Distinguishing MAY & CAN.
2) Distinguishing WILL & WOULD:
3) Distinguishing MUST & SHOULD:
4) Distinguishing between modal verbs meaning PROBABILITY:
5) Distinguishing between modal verbs meaning PERMISSION:
6) Distinguishing MUST from semi-modal HAVE TO:
Monday, 28 March 2016
MODAL VERB CONCEPTS
Remember the basics:
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS:
1-Each verb has its different concept meaning or function. (Look at the chart above)
2- These verbs aren't conjugated.
No "-S" in the third person singular present. He can swim. (Not: *He cans swim)
They lack some verb forms, which are covered by semimodals of a similar meaning.
He had to leave. (Not *He musted leave. Must doesn't have a simple past form)
He will be able to do it. (Not *He will can do it. Can doesn't have a future form)
[Semi-modal verbs that are used instead of the modal are:
HAVE TO for MUST (obligation)
BE ABLE TO for CAN (ability)
BE ALLOWED TO for CAN, MAY (permission)]
3- They work as auxiliary verbs in the NEGATIVE and QUESTIONS.
Can I open the window? No, you can't open the window, it's cold.
4- These verbs are always followed by INFINITIVE WITHOUT TO.
He can swim. (Not * He can to swim)
Except OUGHT TO. You ought to go to the doctor's.
5- PERFECT MODALS: past modal verb+HAVE+Past Participle refer to the past.
She hasn't arrived yet. She might have missed the bus.
You failed the exam. You should have studied more.
1-Each verb has its different concept meaning or function. (Look at the chart above)
2- These verbs aren't conjugated.
No "-S" in the third person singular present. He can swim. (Not: *He cans swim)
They lack some verb forms, which are covered by semimodals of a similar meaning.
He had to leave. (Not *He musted leave. Must doesn't have a simple past form)
He will be able to do it. (Not *He will can do it. Can doesn't have a future form)
[Semi-modal verbs that are used instead of the modal are:
HAVE TO for MUST (obligation)
BE ABLE TO for CAN (ability)
BE ALLOWED TO for CAN, MAY (permission)]
3- They work as auxiliary verbs in the NEGATIVE and QUESTIONS.
Can I open the window? No, you can't open the window, it's cold.
4- These verbs are always followed by INFINITIVE WITHOUT TO.
He can swim. (Not * He can to swim)
Except OUGHT TO. You ought to go to the doctor's.
5- PERFECT MODALS: past modal verb+HAVE+Past Participle refer to the past.
She hasn't arrived yet. She might have missed the bus.
You failed the exam. You should have studied more.
All the posts about modal verbs with the tag Modal Verbs.
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