Modal Verbs of Ability

We use ‘can’ and ‘could’ to talk about a skill or ability.

When we talk about ability, we mean two things.

• general ability. This is something that once you have learned you can do any time you want, like being able to swim, ride a bicycle or speak a language.
• specific ability. This means something that you can or cannot do at a particular time in the present or future. For example, being able to do something on a particular day, or find something you are looking for.

Present:

can / can’t (for both general and specific ability)

• I can’t dance very well.
• She can speak several languages.
• He can’t drive, he has drunk too much beer.
• We can’t come now.

Past:

could / couldn’t (for general ability)

• I couldn’t dance at all until I took lessons.
• She could speak German when she was a child, but now she has forgotten it.
• I could drive when I was 16.
• I couldn’t ride a bicycle until I was 21.

was able to / couldn’t (for specific ability)

• I wasn’t able to dance at the party because I had broken my leg.
• She was able to pass her driving test first time.
• He called the fire brigade because couldn’t put the fire out.
• I couldn’t find my phone.

could + have + past participle (an ability someone had in the past, but didn’t use)

• I could have played football professionally but I didn’t practice enough.
• I could have passed my exams if I had studied harder.
• She could have married anyone, but she preferred to stay single.

Future:

will / won’t be able to (general ability)

• At the end of the course, you will be able to speak English.
• I won’t be able to use a typewriter perfectly until I have a lot more lessons.

can / can’t (specific ability)

• I can’t drive you to the shops, my car is in the garage.
• I can come to the party.