How to Use Can, Could and Be Able To - English Modal Verbs for Ability

In this lesson, you can learn how to use can and could English modal verbs to talk about ability. You will also learn about the verbs be able to and managed to to talk about ability. These verbs are not modal verbs, but we cannot use the modal verbs can or could in every situation to talk about ability, so sometimes we need to use a different verb. Learn more about modal verbs with a certified English teacher from OOE. Learn how:

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Contents:
1. Using 'can' and 'could' to talk about ability 0:43
2. Using 'be able to' 1:40
3. Ability in the past 3:20
4. Two possible meanings of 'could' 6:07
5. Review 7:49

In this video, you will see:
1) How to use can to talk about abilities in the present or future
2) How to use could to talk about abilities in the past
3) When you need to use the verbs be able to or managed to
4) The difference between can or could, and be able to
5) The two different meanings of could

Can and could are used to talk about abilities in the past, present or future. Sometimes, there isn't a form of can, and we need to use the verb be able to. For example, can doesn't have a present perfect form, so if you want to use can in the present perfect, you need to use be able to.

In other forms, can or could and be able to generally have the same meaning. However, if you are talking about abilities in the past, could and be able to are sometimes different. We use could to talk about general abilities in the past, while if you want to talk about a specific ability at a specific time, you need to use be able to.

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The full lesson includes a text and a quiz, so that you can practise what you have learned.
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