Material Unit 3
Completion requirements
1. Modal verbs
1.1. Ability and permission
can, could, be able to, may, be allowed to
- We use the modal verb can to talk about ability in the present.
- Danny can climb mountains and run marathons.
- Two of my friends can play the guitar.
- I can't hear you. NOT I don’t hear you.
- We also use the modal verbs can and may to talk about permission in the present. The modal verb may is used in slightly more formal situations.
- Can we go now?
- I can't leave until the film has finished.
- May I have another drink.
- You may leave when you have completed the test.
- We use the modal verb could to talk about ability in the past and in the conditional form.
- When he was a child, he could ski really well.
- If I had my phone here, I could text him.
- As can and could cannot be used to talk about ability in all tenses, we use be able to (which is not a modal verb) in other tenses.
-
Next week, all the contestants will be able to vote.
-
We haven't been able to go on holiday this year.
- In the same way, as may cannot be used to talk about permission in all tenses, we use be allowed to (which is not a modal verb) in other tenses.
- He wasn't allowed to stay out after midnight.