Can
"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility.
Examples:
I can ride a horse. ability
We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. opportunity
She cannot stay out after 10 PM. permission
Can you hand me the stapler? request
Any child can grow up to be president. possibility
Using "Can" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "can" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use: can general ability
Positive Forms
(present) 1. I can speak Chinese.
(past) 2. SHIFT TO "COULD" I could speak Chinese when I was a kid.
(future) 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I will be able to speak Chinese by the time I
finish my course.
Negative Forms
(present) 1. I can't speak Swahili.
(past) 2. SHIFT TO "COULD" I couldn't speak Swahili.
(future) 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I won't be able to speak Swahili.
You can also use: be able to
can ability during a specific event
Positive Forms
(present) 1. With a burst of adrenaline, people can pick up cars.
(past) 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he was able
to lift the car off the child's leg.
(future) 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he will be able to lift the car.
Negative Forms
(present) 1. Even with a burst of adrenaline, people can't pick up something that heavy.
(past) 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" Even the weight lifter, couldn't lift the car off the
child's leg.
(future) 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" Even three men working together won't be able to lift
the car.
You can also use: be able to
can opportunity
Positive Forms
(present) 1. I have some free time. I can help her now.
(past) 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I had some free time yesterday. I was able to
help her at that time.
(future) 3. I'll have some free time tomorrow. I can help her then.
Negative Forms
(present) 1. I don't have any time. I can't help her now.
(past) 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I didn't have time yesterday. I wasn't able to help
her at that time.
(future) 3. I won't have any time later. I can't help her then.
You can also use: be able to
can permission
Positive Forms
(present) 1. I can drive Susan's car when she is out of town.
(past) 2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO " I was allowed to drive Susan's car while
she was out of town last week.
(future) 3. I can drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week.
Negative Forms
(present) 1. I can't drive Susan's car when she is out of town.
(past) 2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO " I wasn't allowed to drive Susan's car while
she was out of town last week.
(future) 3. I can't drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week.
You can also use: may
can request
Positive Forms
(present) Can I have a glass of water?
(past) Can you give me a lift to school?
(future) Requests usually refer to the near future.
Negative Forms
(present) Can't I have a glass of water?
(past) Can't you give me a lift to school?
(future) Requests usually refer to the near future.
You can also use: could, may
can possibility, impossibility
Positive Forms
(present) Anyone can become rich and famous if they know the right people.
(past) Learning a language can be a real challenge.
(future) This use is usually a generalization or a supposition.
Negative Forms
(present) It can't cost more than a dollar or two.
(past) You can't be 45! I thought you were about 18 years old.
(future) This use is usually a generalization or a supposition.
You can also use: could
from: English Page
Showing posts with label modal verbs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label modal verbs. Show all posts
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb which express the mood of another verb.They are used to express ideas such as possibility, prediction, speculation, deduction and necessity.
Modal Concept Example
Can Ability: Julie can swim.
Permission : Can I come with you? ('May' is also used)
Offers : Can I help you?
Could Possibility: That story could be true - who knows!
Past ability : Julie could swim when she was four years old.
Permission : Could I use your phone please?
Requests : Could you tell me the way to the station please?
May
Possibility : The President may come to visit our offices tomorrow
if the meeting finishes before 5pm.
Permission : May I borrow your dictionary?
Might
Slight possibility : We might win a prize but I doubt it!
Past form of 'may' in reported speech. The President said he
might come.
Should
Advice : You should take an umbrella. It's starting to rain.
Logical deduction : John has revised all day. He should be ready for his
exam.
Ought to
Advice : You ought to write to your grandmother.
Logical deduction : Here's 30€. That ought to be enough for a taxi.
Shall
Offers and suggestions Shall I order a taxi?
with 'I' and 'we' : Shall we begin the meeting now?
Will
Future tense auxiliary : Tomorrow I will be in New York.
Invitations/offers : Will you join us for coffee? Won't you come in?
from: Learn English Today
Modal Concept Example
Can Ability: Julie can swim.
Permission : Can I come with you? ('May' is also used)
Offers : Can I help you?
Could Possibility: That story could be true - who knows!
Past ability : Julie could swim when she was four years old.
Permission : Could I use your phone please?
Requests : Could you tell me the way to the station please?
May
Possibility : The President may come to visit our offices tomorrow
if the meeting finishes before 5pm.
Permission : May I borrow your dictionary?
Might
Slight possibility : We might win a prize but I doubt it!
Past form of 'may' in reported speech. The President said he
might come.
Should
Advice : You should take an umbrella. It's starting to rain.
Logical deduction : John has revised all day. He should be ready for his
exam.
Ought to
Advice : You ought to write to your grandmother.
Logical deduction : Here's 30€. That ought to be enough for a taxi.
Shall
Offers and suggestions Shall I order a taxi?
with 'I' and 'we' : Shall we begin the meeting now?
Will
Future tense auxiliary : Tomorrow I will be in New York.
Invitations/offers : Will you join us for coffee? Won't you come in?
from: Learn English Today
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Present Simple Tense 1-2
Simple Present
FORM
[VERB] + s/es in third person
Examples:
You speak English.
Do you speak English?
You do not speak English.
Simple Present Forms
Most Verbs
Most verbs conjugate like the verb "run" below. Notice how you add an "s" to third-person forms. Third-person negative forms and third-person questions are made using "does."
Positive Negative Question
I run. I do not run. Do I run?
You run. You do not run. Do you run?
We run. We do not run. Do we run?
They run. They do not run. Do they run?
He runs. He does not run. Does he run?
She runs. She does not run. Does she run?
It runs. It does not run. Does it run?
Instead of "s," "es" is added to positive, third-person forms of verbs ending with the following sounds: s, z, sh, ch, j or zs (as in Zsa Zsa). These special "es"-forms have been marked below with an asterisk*.
Positive Negative Question
I rush. I do not rush. Do I rush?
You rush. You do not rush. Do you rush?
We rush. We do not rush. Do we rush?
They rush. They do not rush. Do they rush?
She rushes. * She does not rush. Does she rush?
He rushes. * He does not rush. Does he rush?
It rushes. * It does not rush. Does it rush?
To Have
The verb "have" is irregular in positive, third-person forms. This irregular form has been marked below with an asterisk*.
Positive Negative Question
I have. I do not have. Do I have?
You have. You do not have. Do you have?
We have. We do not have. Do we have?
They have. They do not have. Do they have?
He has. * He does not have. Does he have?
She has. * She does not have. Does she have?
It has. * It does not have. Does it have?
To Be
The verb "be" is irregular in the Simple Present. It also has different question forms and negative forms.
Positive Negative Question
I am. I am not. Am I?
You are. You are not. Are you?
We are. We are not. Are we?
They are. They are not. Are they?
He is. He is not. Is he?
She is. She is not. Is she?
It is. It is not. Is it?
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs behave differently from other verbs. Notice that they do not take "s" in the third person - there is no difference between first-person, second-person or third-person forms. Like the verb "be" described above, modal verbs also have different question forms and negative forms in Simple Present.
Positive Negative Question
I should go. I should not go. Should I go?
You should go. You should not go. Should you go?
We should go. We should not go. Should we go?
They should go. They should not go. Should they go?
He should go. He should not go. Should he go?
She should go. She should not go. Should she go?
It should go. It should not go. Should it go?
USE 1 Repeated Actions
Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.
Examples:
I play tennis.
She does not play tennis.
Does he play tennis?
The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
The train does not leave at 9 AM.
When does the train usually leave?
She always forgets her purse.
He never forgets his wallet.
Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.
Does the Sun circle the Earth?
USE 2 Facts or Generalizations
The Simple Present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.
Examples:
Cats like milk.
Birds do not like milk.
Do pigs like milk?
California is in America.
California is not in the United Kingdom.
Windows are made of glass.
Windows are not made of wood.
New York is a small city. It is not important that this fact is untrue.
USE 3 Scheduled Events in the Near Future
Speakers occasionally use Simple Present to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.
Examples:
The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.
The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
When do we board the plane?
The party starts at 8 o'clock.
When does class begin tomorrow?
USE 4 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)
Speakers sometimes use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with Non-Continuous Verbs and certain Mixed Verbs.
Examples:
I am here now.
She is not here now.
He needs help right now.
He does not need help now.
He has his passport in his hand.
Do you have your passport with you?
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You only speak English.
Do you only speak English?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Once a week, Tom cleans the car. Active
Once a week, the car is cleaned by Tom. Passive
More on: Englsh page
FORM
[VERB] + s/es in third person
Examples:
You speak English.
Do you speak English?
You do not speak English.
Simple Present Forms
Most Verbs
Most verbs conjugate like the verb "run" below. Notice how you add an "s" to third-person forms. Third-person negative forms and third-person questions are made using "does."
Positive Negative Question
I run. I do not run. Do I run?
You run. You do not run. Do you run?
We run. We do not run. Do we run?
They run. They do not run. Do they run?
He runs. He does not run. Does he run?
She runs. She does not run. Does she run?
It runs. It does not run. Does it run?
Instead of "s," "es" is added to positive, third-person forms of verbs ending with the following sounds: s, z, sh, ch, j or zs (as in Zsa Zsa). These special "es"-forms have been marked below with an asterisk*.
Positive Negative Question
I rush. I do not rush. Do I rush?
You rush. You do not rush. Do you rush?
We rush. We do not rush. Do we rush?
They rush. They do not rush. Do they rush?
She rushes. * She does not rush. Does she rush?
He rushes. * He does not rush. Does he rush?
It rushes. * It does not rush. Does it rush?
To Have
The verb "have" is irregular in positive, third-person forms. This irregular form has been marked below with an asterisk*.
Positive Negative Question
I have. I do not have. Do I have?
You have. You do not have. Do you have?
We have. We do not have. Do we have?
They have. They do not have. Do they have?
He has. * He does not have. Does he have?
She has. * She does not have. Does she have?
It has. * It does not have. Does it have?
To Be
The verb "be" is irregular in the Simple Present. It also has different question forms and negative forms.
Positive Negative Question
I am. I am not. Am I?
You are. You are not. Are you?
We are. We are not. Are we?
They are. They are not. Are they?
He is. He is not. Is he?
She is. She is not. Is she?
It is. It is not. Is it?
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs behave differently from other verbs. Notice that they do not take "s" in the third person - there is no difference between first-person, second-person or third-person forms. Like the verb "be" described above, modal verbs also have different question forms and negative forms in Simple Present.
Positive Negative Question
I should go. I should not go. Should I go?
You should go. You should not go. Should you go?
We should go. We should not go. Should we go?
They should go. They should not go. Should they go?
He should go. He should not go. Should he go?
She should go. She should not go. Should she go?
It should go. It should not go. Should it go?
USE 1 Repeated Actions
Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.
Examples:
I play tennis.
She does not play tennis.
Does he play tennis?
The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
The train does not leave at 9 AM.
When does the train usually leave?
She always forgets her purse.
He never forgets his wallet.
Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.
Does the Sun circle the Earth?
USE 2 Facts or Generalizations
The Simple Present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.
Examples:
Cats like milk.
Birds do not like milk.
Do pigs like milk?
California is in America.
California is not in the United Kingdom.
Windows are made of glass.
Windows are not made of wood.
New York is a small city. It is not important that this fact is untrue.
USE 3 Scheduled Events in the Near Future
Speakers occasionally use Simple Present to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.
Examples:
The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.
The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
When do we board the plane?
The party starts at 8 o'clock.
When does class begin tomorrow?
USE 4 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)
Speakers sometimes use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with Non-Continuous Verbs and certain Mixed Verbs.
Examples:
I am here now.
She is not here now.
He needs help right now.
He does not need help now.
He has his passport in his hand.
Do you have your passport with you?
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You only speak English.
Do you only speak English?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Once a week, Tom cleans the car. Active
Once a week, the car is cleaned by Tom. Passive
More on: Englsh page
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