To be able to
To be able to – expresses ability, capability, possibility depending on circumstances. Has all tense forms.
-
to be able to
equivalent of the verb can
He is able to do it (може, у стані)
He was able to do it (міг)
He will be able to do it tomorrow (зможе)
He has been able to swim since childhood (вміє з дитинства)
Form
Affirmative (+)
1. Present
I am
h
e
she is
it able to do it.
w e
you are
they
2. Past
I
h
e
she was
it able to do it.
w e
you were
they
3. Future
I
he
she
it will be able to do it.
we
you
they
4. Perfect
h e
she has
it been able to do it.
w e
you have
they
Negative (-) (full and short forms)
1. Present
I am not
h e
she is not (isn’t)
it able to do it.
w e
you are not (aren’t)
they
2. Past
I
h e
she was not (wasn’t)
it able to do it.
w e
you were not (weren’t)
they
3. Future
I
he
she
it will not (won’t) be able to do it.
we
you
they
4. Perfect
h e
she has not (hasn’t)
it been able to do it.
w e
you have not (haven’t)
they
Question (?)
1. Present
Am I
he
Is she
it able to do it.
we
Are you
they
2. Past
I
he
Was she
it able to do it.
we
Were you
they
3. Future
I
he
she
Will it be able to do it.
we
you
they
4. Perfect
he
Has she
it been able to do it.
we
Have you
they
Exercise 1
Translate into English, using to be able to.
1. Ти зможеш зробити цю роботу завтра? 2. Я думаю, вона не зможе вирішити цю задачу. 3. Завтра я буду вільний й зможу допомогти тобі. 4. Ми зможемо приїхати до Нью-Йорка наступного року? 5. Вчора я не зміг побачити директора, оскільки він був на конференції, але сьогодні після роботи я зможу це зробити.
Exercise 2
Replace the verb can by the phrase to be able to, where it is necessary, add the words given in brackets.
1. I can give you my book for a couple of days (after I have read it). 2. He can ski (for ten years). 3. We knew that she could swim (since a child). 4. You cannot take part in this serious sport competition (until you have mastered good skills). 5. I could not solve the problem (before he explained it to me). 6. I was sure you could translate that article (after you had translated so many texts on physics). 7. You can go to the country (when you have passed last examination). 8. We can pass to the next exercise (when we have done this one).
May, might
-
May
(дозвіл)
You may take my pen. (можете)
You may not touch this. (не можете)
May I come in. (дозвольте)
The verb may has the following meanings:
uncertainty
possibility
permission
reproach, disapproval.
Form
Affirmative (+)
May Might
I I
you you
he he
she may do she might do
it it
we we
you you
they they
Negative (-)
I I
you you
he he
she may not do she might not do
it it
we we
you you
they they
Exercise 1
Translate into Ukrainian.
1. May I go to the post-office with Mike. 2. Don’t give the vase to the child. 3. You may not cross the street when the light is red. 4. May children play with scissors. 5. He may be fond of such films. 6. May I use a dictionary? 7. Don’t go to the wood alone: you may lose your way. 8. May she keep this book till Monday? 9. You may go now. 10. We may occupy the room. 11. You may see these documents.
Exercise 2
Make a sentence with the same meaning. Use the word in brackets.
Example: Perhaps it will rain tomorrow (might).
It might rain tomorrow.
Perhaps a friend will visit me next weekend (may).
Perhaps I will buy a new computer next month (may).
Perhaps I will change my job next year (might).
Perhaps I won’t go to work tomorrow (might).
Perhaps we won’t have holiday next summer. (may)
Exercise 3
Make up sentences. Say what may or might happen.
Examples: It might be sunny tomorrow.
My brother and I may play golf next weekend.
I may go swimming next week.
tomorrow next month next
weekend next summer next
week next year
Exercise 4
Change from direct into indirect speech.
Example: The teacher said to her pupils: “You may go to the cinema” – The teacher told the pupils that they might go to the cinema.
1. Mother said to her son, “You may go to the cinema”. 2. The doctor said to the sick man, “You may go out”. 3. He said to me, “You may look at it”. 4. The girl said to her friend, “You may work in my room”. 5. The policeman said to them, “You may cross the street.”
Exercise 5
Paraphrase the following sentences using the verb may.
Example: Perhaps she is working at her report. – She may be working at her report.
It is possible that they are in the park.
Perhaps a letter will come to you today.
Maybe, it will rain tomorrow.
It is possible that the child is there.
Maybe his mother knows Spanish.
It is possible that they know each other.
Exercise 6
Translate into English.
1. Дозвольте мені увійти. 2. Дозвольте мені піти гуляти. 3. Вчитель сказав, що ми можемо піти додому. 4. Ми мабуть поїдемо за місто у неділю. 4. Він може забути про це. 6. Скоро може піти дощ. 7. Я думав, що мені можна дивитися телевізор. 8. Будь обережним: ти можеш впасти. 9. Я можу дістати квитки заздалегідь. 10. Ви можете поїхати туди автобусом або залізницею.