Добавил:
Upload Опубликованный материал нарушает ваши авторские права? Сообщите нам.
Вуз: Предмет: Файл:
GrAlex - Copy.doc
Скачиваний:
1
Добавлен:
01.07.2025
Размер:
2.06 Mб
Скачать

11.2 Uses of modals (etc.) to express ability and inability

11.2A Expressing present and past ability: 'can' and 'be able to' [> LEG 11.10-12]

1 We can use can (or sometimes am/is/are able to) to describe natural or learned ability:

I can (I am able to) run 1500 metres in 5 minutes, (natural ability). I can't (I am not able to/I am unable to) drive, (learned ability)

2 We can use could, couldn't or was/were (not) able to to describe 'general ability in the past': I could (I was able to) run very fast when I was a boy. (i.e. general ability)

3 We use was/were able to or managed to (Not 'could*) to describe the successful completion of a specific action:

We were able to/we managed to get tickets for the match yesterday. (Not *could*)

4 However, we can use couldn't to describe a specific action not successfully completed:

We couldn't get tickets for the match yesterday. Or: We weren't able to/didn't manage to get tickets for the match yesterday.

Write: Supply can, can't, could, couldn't, was/were able to, managed to. Alternatives are possible.

1 A good 1500-metre runner can run the race in under four minutes. 2 Bill is so unfit he … run at all! 3 Our baby is only nine months and he … already stand up. 4 When I was younger, I … speak Italian much better than I … now. 5 … she speak German very well? - No, she … speak German at all. 6 He … draw or paint at all when he was a boy, but now he's a famous artist. 7 After weeks of training, I… swim a length of the baths underwater. 8 It took a long time, but in the end Tony … save enough to buy his own hi-fi. 9 Did you buy any fresh fish in the market? - No, I… get any. 10 For days the rescuers looked for the lost climbers in the snow. On the fourth day they saw them and … reach them without too much trouble.

11.2B 'Can/could' with verbs of perception: 'I can see' [> LEG 9.3,11.13, App 38.4]

1 Verbs of perception are verbs like see, hear, smell, etc. [>9.1C]

2 When we are describing something that is happening now, we do not use the progressive with these verbs: I see a bird in that tree. (Not *l'm seeing*)

3 We often use can + verb in place of the simple present with verbs of perception: I can see a bird in that tree. (= I see) Can you see it? (= Do you see) We often use could + verb in place of the simple past with verbs of perception: I looked up, but couldn't see anything. (= didn't see)

Write: Rewrite these sentences using can, can't, could or couldn't.

1 Do you see that man over there? Can you see that man over there? 2 I smell something burning … 3 I understood what he said … 4 Did you understand what he said? … 5 I don't see anyone … 6 I didn't understand what he said…

11.2C Ability in tenses other than the present and the past [> LEG 11.16]

Can and could are not 'complete verbs', so we use be able to and sometimes manage to if, for example, we want to express the future or the present perfect [> 11.1B]: I’ll be able to pass my driving test after I have had a few lessons. Not *I can/I will can*

Write: Supply suitable forms of be able to in these sentences:

1 Our teacher says we will be able to speak English fluently in a few months. 2 I've been trying for hours, but so far I (not)… get through on the phone. 3 If he had asked me earlier, I … help him. 4 I'm sure she would have helped you if she… 5 I think I …play table tennis better after a bit of practice. 6 He has managed to live in England for years without … speak English. 7 I'm practising hard because I want to … pass my driving test first time. 8 If I …sing, I would have loved to be an opera singer.

11.2D 'Can/could' in place of 'is often' and 'was often' [>LEG11.I8]

Instead of: It's often cold in January. We can say: It can be cold in January.

Instead of: He was often naughty when he was a boy. We can say: He could be naughty when he was a boy.

Write: Rewrite these sentences with can be or could be.

1 The sea is often rough in the harbor The sea can be often rough in the harbour. 2 She is bad tempered at times… 3 She was often rude when she was a girl… 4 It is often cold here in winter… 5 He was often helpful when he wanted to be…

11.2E. Write: Put in suitable forms which express ability: JOURNEY'S END

The journey to Western Papua had been very hard. We 1 had not been able to make much progress in the heavy rain and we 2… only cross rivers with great difficulty. After two month's journey, we3 … see smoke in the distance and knew we must be near a village. There was another boiling river in front of us, but we4 … cross it by using a rope bridge we had brought with us. At last we approached the village and wondered how we 5 … communicate with the chief. None of us6… speak the local language. Soon, a young, dignified and smiling man approached us.7… you speak English?' I asked hopefully. 'Of course,' the young man replied. 'I was educated at Oxford University. I'm Chief Naga. Welcome to my village!'

Соседние файлы в предмете [НЕСОРТИРОВАННОЕ]