Can and could: ability
Talk about ability now and in the past with can, can’t, could, couldn’t and be able to.
In this lesson you will
- Use can/can’t for present ability
- Use could/couldn’t for past ability
- Use be able to for other tenses
Learn
can / can’t + base verb = ability now: I can swim. She can’t drive. No to, no -s: He can speak (not cans, not can to speak).
could / couldn’t = general ability in the past: I could read when I was four. I couldn’t sleep last night.
be able to for other forms: I’ll be able to help tomorrow. I’ve never been able to whistle.
Pronunciation: in positive sentences can is weak /kən/ (I c’n swim); can’t is strong /kɑːnt/ or /kænt/.
Examples
- Can you speak Chinese? — Yes, a little.
- When I was young, I could run really fast.
- I couldn’t find my keys this morning.
- She’ll be able to walk again soon.
Vocabulary
ability
the power or skill to do something
be able to
can (in any tense)
manage to
succeed in doing something difficult
skill
an ability you learn
fluently
easily and well (language)
Practice
She ___ play the guitar very well.
Speaking
Talk about your skills: three things you can do well, two things you can’t do, and one thing you could do as a child but can’t now.
Writing
Write a short profile for a volunteering website describing your skills and abilities (50–70 words).
Lesson quiz
___ you ride a bike?
Review
Key points
- can/can’t = ability now.
- could/couldn’t = past ability.
- be able to for other tenses.
What you learned
- ✓ I can talk about abilities.
- ✓ I can talk about past abilities.
- ✓ I can use be able to.
Grammar reference: Can and could: ability, permission, requests