Modals structure
How do we make a positive sentence using a modal in present?
(person) + modal verb + verb (infinitive)
can
Liz can speak five languages
could
When I was a child, I could read without glasses.
He's amazing, he ... speak five languages, including Chinese.
can
How do we make a negative sentence using a modal in present?
(person) + modal not + verb (inf)
am/is/are able to
The doctor’s able to see you now.
was/were able to
Dad didn’t have any money on him, but fortunately, he was able to use his credit card to pay the bill.
... you swim when you were 10?
Could
How do we make a negative sentence using a modal in past?
(person) + modal not + have + verb 3rd c/ed
can’t
She can’t speak Russian
couldn’t
Olga couldn’t ride a bike till she was 18.
She's seven years old, but she ... read yet. Her parents are getting her extra lessons.
can't
How do we make a positive sentence using a modal in present?
(person) + modal + have + verb 3rd c/ed
am not/isn’t/aren’t able to
She isn’t able to see you tomorrow.
wasn’t/weren’t able to
William wasn’t able to do all the questions in the maths exam.
We ... get to the meeting on time yesterday, because the train was delayed by one hour.
couldn't
How do we make interrogative sentences using modals? (present and past)
•Modal + (person) + verb (inf)?
•Modal + (person) + have + verb 3rd c/ed?
What are the modals that express ability in the present?
can/ can't, able to
When don't we use the be able to?
In the continuous.
He ... arrive at the party on time, even after missing the train, so he was very pleased.
was able to