Education | Reading | Life | Growth
Written by Chen Deyong
In the previous section, we discussed the 7 groups of modal verbs that are essential for middle school English. In this article, we will delve deeper into the usage of these modal verbs.Today, let’s first take a look at the usage of the most familiar modal verb, can.
Can indicates ability, which can be intellectual or physical, meaning “to be able to” or “can”:
He can sing and dance. He can sing and dance.
Can you work it out? Can you work it out?
I can speak Spanish. I can speak Spanish.
Can indicates opportunity or possibility:
He can’t have finished his work. He can’t have finished his work.
Where can it be? Where can it be?
It can’t be Mr. Green. It can’t be Mr. Green.
This sofa can be out of place in your living room. This sofa can be out of place in your living room.
Can is used to ask and express requests. In spoken language, “can” is often used instead of the more formal “may”:
Can you help me? Can you help me?
Can you pass me the remote? Can you pass me the remote?
Can’t you wait till this afternoon? Can’t you wait till this afternoon? (can’t = cannot = can not)
The past tense of can is could, meaning “could in the past” or “was able to”:
He could swim very well when he was nine. He could swim very well when he was nine.
She couldn’t find her handbag. She couldn’t find her handbag.
Key Point: Could is used in the present tense to express a polite tone. Using could to make a request sounds more courteous and formal. At this time, could is not the past tense of can:
Could I have those two tickets? Could I have those two tickets?
Could you do me a favor? Could you do me a favor?
Key Point: The difference between can and be able to: Be able to can be used in various tenses because it contains the verb be, which has various forms, while can is more casual.
I was able to find out his address. I was able to find out his address.
I will be able to see my grandma soon. I will be able to see my grandma soon.
Be able to in the past tense indicates that something has been accomplished, which is different from could:
He was able to fly over the mountain. He was able to fly over the mountain.
He could climb over the wall. He could climb over the wall. (Whether he did it or not is uncertain.)