Sunday, December 16, 2012

Modal verbs: ability


MODAL VERB
TENSE
EXAMPLE
(be) able to
(be) not able to
present
I am able to swim
(have) been able to
(have) not been able to
present perfect
She has been able to finish the book.
can
can´t
present
I can swim
could
couldn´t
past - general ability
I could swim when I was 3 years old.
managed to
wasn´t/ weren´t able to / couldn´t
past - specific ability
There was a terrible fire, but everyone was able to escape.
to be able to
not to be able to
infinitive
They hope to be able to visit us next week.
was/were able to
wasn´t/ weren´t able to / couldn´t
past - specific ability
There was a terrible fire, but everyone was able to escape.
will be able to
won´t be able to
future
I will be able to help you tomorrow.
would be able to
conditional
If you saved enough money, you would be able to go on holiday.

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