Verb can

Modal Verb / Its Equivalent	Uses	Present / Future	Past
Can	1. ability	I can run fast.	I could run fast when I was a child, but now I can’t.
	2. possibility	He can win the race. (90% certain)	They could still be at school. (50% certain; it’s possible they are still at school.)
	3. informal permission	You can use my car tomorrow.
	4. informal polite request	Can I borrow your pen?
	5. impossibility (negative only)	That can’t be true!
Could	1. past ability		I could run fast when I was a child.
	2. polite request	Could I borrow your pen? Could you help me?
	3. suggestion	- I need help in Math. - You could talk to your teacher.
	4. less than 50% certainty	- Where’s John? - He could be at home.
	5. impossibility (negative only)	That couldn’t be true!
Be able to (Can borrows the rest of its tenses from its equivalent be able to .) She hasn’t been able to finish it yet.	1. ability	I am able to help you. I will be able to help you.	I was able to help you.

Exercise 11

Choose among the forms of the modal verb can andits equivalentsthose referring to:

a.Present

b.Past

c. Future

I. can, cannot, could, could not, am not able to, was able to, were able to,

shall be able to, managed to, succeeded in, won’t be able to, are able to,

is able to.

II.must be able to, had to be able to, will have been able to, could he? had

not been able, shan’t have been able, might be able to answer, enjoyed

being able to speak French, can’t swim, regrets not being able to come.

Exercise 12

Determine the meaning of the modal verb can. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. I can see perfectly well what it is all about, thank you.

2. Couldyoutellus what took place there?

3. “If only I could have beenthere,” she said.

4. I could not checkmy tears, for they came against my will.

5. And to her friends she can beverycharming.

6. It was nearly six months since his book had been published. Who could

have been readingit, he wondered?

7. He could writerhymed verses with extraordinary rapidity.

8. You cannot postponeyour departure until next week.

9. Couldhehave beenat the reception? I didn’t see him.

10. This dress can’t beso shockinglyexpensive.

11. Harris can’t have given thoughtto the matter.

12. Couldanyoneliketinned fruit better than fresh fruit?

13. Mr. Drake can’t have been workingat the bank for fifteen years.

14. Paul couldn’t have failed to learnFrench while living in France.

15. The dog can’t have bittenher without a reason.

16. Couldthe Browns stillbeliving in Manchester?

17. You can take the camera. We won’t need it tomorrow.

18. He couldn’t but resignfrom the Board.

19. “And you did approve of the treatment that was given?” he said curtly. “I

did. I cannot seehow itcould have been bettered.”

20. You can leadher, but youcan’t driveher.