26. Modals of ability - Can and Could

MODALS OF ABILITY: CAN AND COULD

Statements with Can Use can to express ability in the present. Can is followed by the base form of a verb. Can’t is the negative of can . Can and can't have the same form with all subjects. can + verb (base form) can't + verb (base form) He can sing. They can't sail. Notice the pronunciation. In positive sentences, the main verb of the sentence is stressed (Ruth can cook .). In negative sentences, can't is stressed (They can't skate) . Ruth can cook. Glen can't cook. I can skate. They can't skate.

MODALS OF ABILITY: CAN AND COULD

Statements with Could Use could + the base form of the verb to show that someone had the ability to do something in the past. Couldn’t is the negative form of could. could + verb (base form) couldn't + verb (base form) We could play tennis very well when we were children. Now we can't. Last year, I couldn't speak Japanese. Now I can. Questions with Can and Could You use can + subject + the base form of the verb to ask questions about someone’s ability to do something in the present. Use could + subject + the base form of the verb to ask questions about someone’s ability to do something in the past. could/can + subject + verb (base form) Can she play the guitar? Could you figure skate when you were a child?

MODALS OF ABILITY: CAN AND COULD

Present Tense

Positive Statements: can + verb (base form) I can drive a car.

Negative Statements: can't + verb (base form) Shelley can't go to the party.

Questions: Can + subject + verb (base form)? Can you play the piano?

Past Tense

Positive Statements: could + verb (base form) Last year I could run 5 miles, and this year I can run 10.

Negative Statements: couldn't + verb (base form) We couldn't take a vacation last year.

Questions: Could + subject + verb (base form)? Could you speak French with your grandfather?