Modal Verbs – Present Modal
can, could and (be) able to 12

CAN, COULD, and (BE) ABLE TO

🔧CAN, COULD, and (BE) ABLE TO

💡These three expressions all talk about ability, but they are used in different times and different situations.

👉Formula reminder:

can + base verb
could + base verb
be able to + base verb (am/is/are/was/were/been/will be able to)

1️⃣CAN – Present Ability 🎯

🌟We use can to say what someone is able to do now.

🎸I can play the guitar.
🗣️She can speak English very well.
🚗We can't drive yet.

2️⃣COULD – Past Ability ⏳

📚We use could to talk about general ability in the past.

🏃‍♂️When I was a child, I could run very fast.
🍳My grandmother could cook delicious food.

⚠️But for a specific past situation (especially if it was difficult), we don't use could. We use was/were able to.

❌Yesterday I could find my keys.
✅Yesterday I was able to find my keys.

3️⃣(BE) ABLE TO – All Tenses 🕒

⚡"Be able to" is more flexible. We can use it in past, present, and future.

📅Present: I am able to solve this problem. (same as I can)
⏰Past: She was able to finish the exam on time.
🚀Future: We will be able to travel next year.

⭐Special Use: Success Despite Difficulties 💪

💪We use was/were able to (not could) when someone manages to do something in a specific situation, especially when it was hard or almost impossible.

🌧️It was raining, but we were able to finish the match.
📝The exam was very hard, but I was able to answer all the questions.
🤒She was sick, but she was able to complete the project.

👉Think of it as: "Yes, it was hard, but I managed to do it!"

5️⃣Comparison Table

Expression	Tense / Use	Example
can	Present ability	I can swim very well.
could	Past general ability	When I was 10, I could climb trees.
was/were able to	Past specific success (despite difficulties)	She was able to open the door even without the key.
will be able to	Future ability	I will be able to drive when I turn 18.

6️⃣Common Mistakes ❌✅

❌Yesterday I could finish the project.
✅Yesterday I was able to finish the project.
❌She cans sing.
✅She can sing.
❌I can to play football.
✅I can play football.

✨Quick Tip

✨Quick Tips

🌟Use can for now.
📚Use could for past general ability.
💪Use was/were able to for past specific achievements or success in difficulties.
🚀Use will be able to for future ability.

🔧Formation Summary

📋Present:

Subject + CAN + base verb

Subject + AM/IS/ARE ABLE TO + base verb

📋Past (general):

Subject + COULD + base verb

📋Past (specific/difficult):

Subject + WAS/WERE ABLE TO + base verb

📋Future:

Subject + WILL BE ABLE TO + base verb

💭Remember

🎯CAN = present ability only
📚COULD = past general ability
💪BE ABLE TO = all tenses + overcoming difficulties
⚡For specific past achievements, use was/were able to
🚫Don't use could for one-time successful actions in the past
🔄All three expressions use the base verb

Modal Verbs – Present Modal can, could and (be) able to 12