OPG 39, 40 can/could/ be able to/may

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 1

Goals:

 Can/ Could /be able to/may

can, could + (be) able to

By the end of the lesson you will know when to use can

when to use could 

and

when to use (be) able to

when to use may

Ability/Possibility

Can you speak French?

Can you help me with my maths homework?

'I haven't got a pen.' - 'You can use mine.'

negative of can is can't or cannot

Most of the time there is no difference. 'Be able to' is more formal. 

We use can + infinitive 

can see

can speak

can play 

can read

can come

With 'able to' use the correct form of 'be'

I am able to see

You are able to speak

He/she/it is able to play

We are able to read

They are able to come

Can you phone me this afternoon? I would like to know how you are.

Are you able to phone me this afternoon? Or are you busy?

could is sometimes the past of can

We can see the lake from our  hotel window. (You are on holiday now.)

We could see the lake from our hotel window. (About a holiday in the past)

could is also for general ability

My grandmother could speak four languages.

She could ride a bike when she was three years old.

BUT: For a specific situation in the past use was/were  + able to:

The fire spread through the country, but fortunately everybody was able to escape.

(Not: everybody could escape.)

Peter was an excellent tennis player when he was younger. He could beat anyone.

James and Peter played tennis yesterday. Peter played well, but Mike was able to beat Peter. (specific situation)

We use could + infinitive 

could see

could speak

could play 

could read

could come

With 'able to' use the correct form of 'be'

I was able to see

You were able to speak

He/she/it was able to play

We were able to read

They were able to come

Future

The baby will be able to walk soon.

We will be able to meet again when the borders open. 

Request 

Can/Could/May I borrow your pen, please? 

The patient ................ again in a few days.

1. can walk
2. will be able to walk

I ___ swim very well.

1. can
2. am able to
3. be able to

Wat gebruik je om aan te geven dat je wel of niet in staat bent iets te doen?

1. can
2. to be able to

It is little Sue's birthday tomorrow, she ......... sleep

1. Cannot
2. is not able to

When Donald Trump was only 4, he ............count to 20 in Japanese!

1. could
2. was able to
3. can

John ....................... play tomorrow, he has broken his leg!

1. cannot
2. will not be able to

We got lost but eventually we ................. in time.

1. were able to get there
2. could get there
3. can get there
4. can't get there

Mag ik aub je fiets gebruiken?

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