TALKING ABOUT

ABILITIES
 CAN – CAN’T
• Is used for present and future
abilities.

Ex:
- Mery can type very quickly
- I can´t speak Italian, but I’d like to
learn
- We can help you move this
weekend if you’d like.
 COULD – COULDN’T

• Is used for past abilities.

Ex:
- The test was difficult. I couldn’t
figure out some of the answers.
- Sara could go to the party,
because she hadn’t other plans.
- When I was a child I could swim
very well
 Be able to…

• Is used to talk about present, past

and future abilities.
• You have to pay attention at Be
form (was/were/will be)
WAS /WERE
BE
WILL BE
• I am able to drive you home
today

• I was able to drive you

home last year, but not now

• I will be able to drive you

home in two months
 Exercises

……….. he understand what you were talking

1

about?
a) Could b) Was he able to c) Does
2. My sister………play tennis now
a) can b) could c) couldn’t
3. I……… walk when I was less than a year old
a) could b) can c) am able to
4. My grandfather…….walk without any help last
night
a) Couldn’t b) Is able to c) Was able to
5. I would like to ………..play the piano
a) Am able to b) Can c) Be able to
6. I'll…….help you later
a) Be able to b) Could c) Can
7. Will men ……. live forever one day?
a) Are able to b) Can c) Be able to