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TermsEnglish (UK) · Modal Verbs
Can, Could, Be able to
Use can + base verb for ability in the present: She can swim. The negative is can't or cannot. For ability in the past, use could and couldn't: When I was five, I could read. It was so dark that we couldn't see anything.
Can has no infinitive and no participle, so other tenses use be able to:
- future: will be able to, won't be able to (Will you be able to come?)
- present perfect: have been able to (I haven't been able to sleep.)
- after another verb: I'd love to be able to dance.
Never put to after can or could: I can swim, not I can to swim.
Examples
- I can play the guitar.
- She can't drive yet.
- My dad could dance really well when he was young.
- We couldn't find the hotel.
- Will you be able to help me tomorrow?
Try it yourself
My brother is only ten, but he speak three languages.Show answer
My brother is only ten, but he can speak three languages.
Look! The baby walk now.Show answer
Look! The baby can walk now.
My grandmother is ninety, but she read without glasses.Show answer
My grandmother is ninety, but she can read without glasses.
I hear you clearly now. Please go on.Show answer
I can hear you clearly now. Please go on.
Penguins swim very well, but they can't fly.Show answer
Penguins can swim very well, but they can't fly.
Let's ask Tom. He fix computers.Show answer
Let's ask Tom. He can fix computers.
Sorry, I help you now. I'm busy.Show answer
Sorry, I can't help you now. I'm busy.
My little sister is only two, so she read yet.Show answer
My little sister is only two, so she can't read yet.
Turn up the music, please. I hear it.Show answer
Turn up the music, please. I can't hear it.
Fish live without water.Show answer
Fish can't live without water.