Modals of Ability

Introduction	Can as a modal
Could as a modal	Quizzes

Introduction

As with all modals, can and could obey the following rules.

• Can and could are always accompanied by other verbs except with short answers.

For example:  Yes, I can.  No, I can't.  Yes, I could.  No, I couldn't.
In all other situations can and could will be followed by another verb.
• Can and could are never conjugated.
• Can and could are followed by the simple form of the verb.

Can as a Modal of Ability

Examples:

• Meena can teach reading class.
• Most ESL teachers can speak two or more languages.
• Hallry can speak Cambodian.
• Bob can go to work tomorrow.
• Allen can buy his books after class.
• The student can take classes next month.

Examples

• Dogs can't read.
• The student can't answer the question.
• The little girl can't reach the top shelf.
• Dennis can't go on vacation next month.
• Baruch can't see you tomorrow.
• Allen can't buy his books after class.

Could as a Modal

Examples

• Harold could ride a unicycle when he was younger.
• Bob could play tennis well when he was a teenager.
• Jane could function with less sleep when she was a girl.

Could is also used in the negative.  The negative of could (could not or couldn't) is used to show inability in the past.

Examples

• Lucia could not come to work yesterday because she was sick.
• Sokhom couldn't finish her homework because she was too busy with her family.
• David couldn't speak loudly because he had a sore throat.

Quizzes

• Can or Could Multiple Choice Quiz
• Can or Could Fill-in-the-Blank Quiz