Ability can be expressed using modal verbs and phrases.

Present Forms | Modals of Ability

Be able to

• Form:

Is/am/are(not) able to + main verb

• Usage:

This form may be used in positive or negative, for general or specific ability.

• Modal verb examples:

James is able to cook steak.

David is not able to cook steak.

Can/Can’t

• Form:

Can/Can’t + main verb

• Usage:

This form may be used in positive or negative, for general or specific ability.

• Examples:

Richard can speak French fluently.

Gabriella can’t speak French fluently.

Past Forms | Modals of Ability

Be able to

• Form:

Was/were(not) able to + main verb

• Usage:

This form may be used, in positive or negative, for general or specific ability.

• Examples:

Max was able to swim fast when he was a young boy.

Jennifer was not able to dance when she was eight.

Could/Couldn’t

• Form:

Could/Couldn’t + verb

• Usage:

Could, in positive, is only used for general ability.

Couldn’t is used for general or specific.

• Examples:

I could swim when I was six.

My sister couldn’t play the piano when she was five.

Managed to

• Form:

Managed to + verb

• Usage:

This form is only used for specific ability: one time, one situation.

• Example:

Police finally managed to catch the culprit.

Future Forms | Modals of Ability

Be able to

• Form:

Will/won’t able to + main verb

• Usage:

This form is only used for general ability.

• Example:

Journalists will be able to preview the exhibition tomorrow.

Can/can’t

• Form:

Can/Can’t + verb

• Usage:

This form may be used, in positive or negative, for general or specific ability.

• Examples:

I can help you tomorrow.

I can’t come to her birthday party.

Modals of Ability | Image