English modal verbs can may must. Use of Modal Verbs Can (Could) and May (Might)

InformationI

Modal verbs do not denote the action itself, but indicate the speaker’s attitude towards it. The main features of modal verbs are that they:

1) require after themselves the infinitive of the semantic verb without the particle “to”: I can do this;

2) form an interrogative and a negative form without auxiliary verb: Can you help me? – No, I cannot (I can’t);

3) the verbs “can” and “may” have only present and past tense forms, the verb “must” has only the present tense form. Modal verbs do not form complex verb forms;

4) do not change either by person or by number: He can speak English;

5) do not have impersonal forms (infinitive, gerund, participle).

Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks with verbs "can», « may», « must"and check your friend

1. All the students… go home because there will be no meeting after classes.

2. He can help you as he is not busy now.

3. My son... skate well.

5. I am sorry, I... leave. At 5 o'clock I shall have a lecture.

6. When must you come to the lessons? We must come to the lessons at 8.

7. I… don’t go to the club today. I have no time.

8. There are children in this room. You must not smoke here.

9. ...I open the window? Yes, you….

10. You are free and may go home.

InformationII

The verb "can" (past tense "could") expresses the physical or mental ability to perform the action expressed by the infinitive. “Can” is translated into Russian by forms of the verbs “to be able” and “to be able to”:

In the meaning of the verb “can”, as well as in place of its missing forms, the combination “to be able” + an infinitive with the particle “to” can be used:

I shall be able to come to see you tomorrow.

I can come to you tomorrow.

I was able (= could) to do this.

I was able to do it.

I am able (= can) to do this.

I can do it.

Exercise 1

Complete the sentences according to this model and check with your friend:

Model: I can’t help you now, but I’ll be able to do it tomorrow.

1. I cannot come today, but….

2. They can’t swim now, but they’ll be able to do it next month.

3. I can’t talk to her tonight, but….

4. You can’t take my book today, but you’ll be able to do it tomorrow.

5. She can’t cook dinner today, but….

6. I can’t lend you any money this month, but I’ll be able to do it next month.

7. He can’t go to the country this Sunday, but….

8. We can’t help you with the text today, but we’ll be able to do it tomorrow.

Exercise 2

Translate these sentences into English and check your friend

1. I couldn't help you yesterday.

2. Can you believe this story?

3. He will be able to come to the meeting tomorrow.

4. She will be able to see you tomorrow.

6. They could go to the country last month.

7. You can help us tomorrow.

8. Can your sister play the piano?

9. What languages ​​can you speak?

10. He will be able to finish the work tomorrow.

InformationIII

The verb may (past tense might only for indirect speech) expresses:

1) resolution:

May I come in? Can I come in?

2) possibility or assumption:

It may rain today. Maybe it will rain today.

In the meaning of the verb “may”, as well as in place of its missing forms, the combination “to be allowed” + an infinitive with the particle “to” can be used.

He was allowed to stay here. He was allowed to stay here.

Exercise 1

Use the modal verb "may"at the specified time and check your friend

1. The students (may) leave the room in half an hour. (Future Indefinite).

2. She was allowed to play the piano yesterday.

3. You (may) look some words up in the dictionary at the examination. (Future Indefinite).

4. You will be allowed to stay away from classes tomorrow.

5. She (may) swim in the morning. (Past Indefinite).

6. We were allowed to go to the theater yesterday.

8. Ann is still weak. She will not be allowed to go out tomorrow.

9. You (may) use my dictionary in an hour. (Future Indefinite).

10. Shall I be allowed to bring my friend with me tomorrow?

InformationIV

The verb "must" expresses necessity or moral obligation. The verb “must” is translated into Russian with the words “should”, “need”, “must”:

I must get up early every day. I need to get up early every day.

The verb "must" has no past tense.

To express the past tense, its equivalents “to have to...” and “to be to...” are used. To express the future tense, only the equivalent “to have to...” is used.

The verb “to have” followed by the infinitive of another verb with the particle “to” expresses an obligation arising from external conditions, and is often translated into Russian by the verb “have to”.

I had to wait for the tram for 10 minutes yesterday.

Yesterday I had to wait 10 minutes for the tram.

The verb “to be to...” means an obligation arising from a preliminary agreement or plan.

Mister N. is to make a report at the next me ting.

Mr. N has to make a report at the next meeting.

Exercise 1

Translate the following sentences into Russian and check your friend

1. She had to ask for directions to the station.

2. The students will have to stay after their classes.

3. I have to do my homework today.

4. We were to meet at the station at 6.

5. You will have to repeat the lecture material before the exam.

6. When are we to visit the laboratories of the Institute?

7. I will have to answer a lot of letters tomorrow.

8. You will have to leave at 6 to catch the train.

9. Mom has to cook dinner after work.

10. The girl had to take care of her younger sisters and brothers.

11. I was supposed to arrive by the ten o'clock train, but I couldn't get a ticket for it.

12. We shall have to speak to him about it.

13. We must be with him no later than 8 o’clock.

14. He was to leave last night.

Exercise 2

Translate the following sentences using examples and check with your friend

(I) had to... (I) shall have to …

1. I had to get up early.

2. You will have to do this today.

3. We shall have to meet them.

4. He had to come at 8 o'clock.

Did (you) have to? … Will (you) have to? ...

5. Did you have to wait for a long time?

6. Will I have to make a report?

7. Did he have to do this work?

8. Do we have to go there?

(I) didn't have to... (I) shall not have to…

9. I didn’t have to write to him.

10. We won't need to call them.

11. They will not have to go there.

12. They shouldn't have gone to the station.

Use of verbs can And may in modern English language often causes difficulty. It is sometimes difficult to immediately say which sentence will be correct: “May we expect you tomorrow?” or “Can we expect you tomorrow?”

Once upon a time according to strict rules English grammar can expressed physical or mental ability, A may– permission And OK. It was considered wrong to use can in the meaning of permission. There was a verb for this may:
- May I accompany you to the concert, Miss Smith
- Why of course you may, honey.

And this young lady could ask about her dancing abilities like this:
- Can you do the tango?

And get, for example, such a positive answer:
- Why of course I can, Miss Smith.

Today the rules of language are not so defined. Already from the second half of the 19th century can used in informal speech to express permission. For example, you might hear the following:
Can I go to the party? -Can I go for the evening?

And these days, can also used in informal context for expressing permission. Teachers primary classes often heard
Can I go to the garden?

and his parents are being persecuted
Can I have a doll?

Children repeat what they hear from adults, and the latter, as can be seen, are increasingly moving away from may, which sometimes sounds too prim.
Linguist Weichman also separates these verbs, noting that the question with may“sounds more polite.”
Therefore, we can conclude that only in formal and official communication situations should this verb be used to request permission. For example, in a conversation with a restaurant waiter it would be more advantageous to sound
May I have more salt, please?

than
Can I have more salt, please?

And if you knock on the door, it’s better to ask
May I come in?

As for prohibitions, then use may not highly not recommended. This applies to all styles.
You can't go to the disco.

Use may in such cases, although formally acceptable, it sounds unnatural. Educated people would rather say “Can’t I?” rather than “Mayn’t I?” or “May I not?” And even according to the strict rules of English grammar, the question “Why mayn’t I go to the disco?” sounds wrong, you can say “not in English” So, in the near future the verb may not, most likely, will become archaic, if it hasn’t already.

Now let's return to the question asked at the beginning of the article. Which option would be correct: “Can or may we see you tomorrow?” First you need to understand what the speaker means: ability or permission. To do this, you can replace the verb, for example, with its equivalent:
Are we allowed to see you tomorrow?

It is immediately clear that the resolution value is not appropriate.
But the ability in this case is also not implied:
Are we mentally able to see you tomorrow?

If you think about it a little, you come to the conclusion that in this case the best option will might:
Might we see you tomorrow?

The difference usage may and might see .

Meanwhile, “Are you coming tomorrow?” may also be suitable in this case. But if you had to choose between can And may, then it is still advisable to give preference to the first:
Can we see you tomorrow?

So, in an informal setting, the use can instead of may allowed and widely used in speech, while in formal style it is recommended to use may.

Modal verbs are widely used in the English language, so if you want to speak English easily and fluently, there is no way to avoid studying this topic. True, at first it may seem somewhat confusing. Many modal verbs have very close value, so they are difficult to distinguish and very easy to confuse. To prevent this from happening, in this article we will study the features of using the modal verbs can, may, must and should.

Definition

First, let's figure out what modal verbs are. Firstly, they are not used independently. In a sentence, they are necessarily combined with a semantic verb, i.e. the modal verb itself cannot denote any specific actions, it can only indicate the possibility, probability, necessity of an action expressed by a semantic one. In addition, it expresses the speaker’s attitude towards any action.

Modal verbs may (might)

These verbs are often difficult to use. They can be either interchangeable or multifunctional. The first and most important meaning that both of these verbs express is probability and uncertainty. However, it is worth remembering that may will still express a greater degree of confidence than might.

With the help of modal verbs we can express any assumptions with a degree of uncertainty about their accuracy.

Example: He may be at the concert - He may be at the concert.

The verbs may/might can be used when talking about some plans and intentions.

Example: I may be going to the cinema - Maybe I’ll go to the cinema.

In interrogative sentences, the verbs may/might can mean a polite form of address.

Example: May I show you my painting? - Can I show you my paintings?

Although in everyday colloquial speech, the verbs may/might in this function are increasingly being replaced by the verb can.

The enable or disable function uses may.

Example: You may eat only one candy at a time - You can eat only one candy at a time.

May can also be used when expressing any wishes. It is worth giving preference to might if we are talking about polite advice.

Example: You might like to try this dish - You might want to try this dish.

Might is also used when talking about some very unlikely situation.

Must

In no case should the modal verbs may/might and must be confused, since must expresses necessity, obligation, obligation, i.e. it has a much stronger meaning.

Example: We must finish this work by autumn - We must finish this work before autumn.

Must can also express some conscious necessity, which is caused not by external circumstances, but by an internal understanding of one’s duty.

Example: We must take care of parents - We must take care of our parents.

You can also use must to express a prohibition or an order.

Can

Like the modal verbs may and must, can is also very often used in speech, so it is important to know the features of its use.

Can is used when you need to talk about the physical or mental ability to do something, i.e. this verb is used when they say that they can do something.

Examples: I can swim - I can swim.

I can run fast - I can run fast.

I can drive a car - I can drive a car.

This verb can also denote theoretical and general possibilities.

Example: She can do anything right now - She can do anything right now.

Can indicates the legal possibility of doing something.

In interrogative sentences, can can mean a request to do something or surprise. Also, this verb in some functions indicates prohibition, distrust or permission.

Example: She cannot be so young! - She can't be that young! (An example of a sentence expressing distrust).

Should

This modal verb most often acts as an advice or recommendation that does not have to be followed.

Should can be used when talking about moral duty.

Example: We should think about our environment more often - We should think about the surrounding nature more often.

This modal verb can express regret about something or even reproach for some action or inaction.

Example: You should solve this problem - You should solve this problem.

Temporal forms of modal verbs

Modal verbs are called insufficient. They received this name because they do not have ordinary verb forms, including tense forms. But how then to construct sentences? The main semantic verb takes on the entire load.

Let's look at a few examples. The present tense is formed quite simply. You just need to follow the formula “modal verb + semantic infinitive”: I can swim.

Some modal verbs have the past tense form (can – could), but in the future tense, can is replaced by the construction will be able to.

For comparison, consider the modal verb must. It has only the present tense form. The formation of all other forms is taken over by the semantic verb. Let's look at examples.

He must send this letter - He must send this letter.

He had to send this letter - He had to send this letter.

He will have to send this letter - He will have to send this letter.

Interrogative and negative sentences

In interrogative sentences, the modal verb is placed either in first place, if it general question, or before the question word if a special question is used.

Example: Can I see the boss? -Can I see the boss?

There is no question word here, so the modal verb comes first.

When can he go to the cinema? - When can he go to the cinema?

IN in this example There is question word“when”, so the modal verb comes after it, i.e. in second place.

Negation and modal verbs

Negation of modal verbs is formed using the negative particle not.

Example: You should not watch this film - You should not watch this film.

However, not all so simple. Some modal verbs can merge with the particle not (cannot) or form a contraction (should not = shouldn’t). But some verbs cannot form a short form or merge with a particle, for example, may is such a verb. The negative form of this verb will look like may not.

Exercises

To test yourself, do exercises on the modal verbs may, might, can, must, should.

Fill in the gaps with suitable modal verbs and translate the sentences.

1. Take your umbrella. It... rain.

Take your umbrella. It can start raining.

This sentence expresses some assumption (it may rain). Therefore we can use may.

2. You ... finish your project as soon as possible.

You must finish your project as soon as possible.

Answer: must

This phrase can be heard, for example, from a boss. This is practically an order (a call to do your job, your duties). Therefore, you can use must.

3. I...swim very well! But unfortinately, I... play the guitar.

I can swim very well. But, unfortunately, I can't play the guitar.

Answer: can / cannot

We are talking about some skills here. That's why can is used.

4. Don't wait for us. We ... be late.

Don't wait for us. We might be late.

Answer: might

An assumption made with some uncertainty. You can use might.

5. You are so tired. You ... stay at home and have a rest.

You're so tired. You should stay home and rest.

Answer: Should

Polite advice that does not require mandatory and unconditional execution.

Modal verbs are used very often, so it is extremely important to pay enough attention to them and work out the features of their use in practice. You should definitely pay attention to the meaning of the sentence; it will tell you which verb will be appropriate in a given situation.

Why are modal verbs needed in English? Which modal verbs are worth remembering and which are not? How to construct phrases with modal verbs correctly? You will find answers and many examples of English sentences with modal verbs in this article.

What is a modal verb?

Modal verbs are unusual in that they are never used by themselves. A modal verb is always used in pairs with another semantic verb. It is the semantic verb that shows what action we are talking about. And the role of the modal verb is to show the speaker’s attitude towards this action.

The easiest way to understand the purpose of modal verbs is with examples. Take a look at the offer:

I play football.
I'm play soccer.

Now, let's add the modal verbs can, must, may to this sentence and see how the meaning changes:

I can play football.
I can play football.

I must play football.
I have to play football.

I may play football.
I'm allowed to play football.

All three sentences contain the same semantic verb - play. But look how different in meaning the sentences we got by using different modal verbs.

Thus, modal verbs should be used when talking about:

• ability/impossibility to perform an action;
• presence/absence of the need to perform an action;
• advice/order/recommendation to perform an action;
• assessing the probability of performing an action.

This is not a complete list of what modal verbs are used for in English. Next, we will take a closer look at the 10 main English modal verbs, what their meanings are and how to use them correctly. Let's start with the three most common modal verbs.

Three MAIN modal verbs.

For most situations it will be enough to know 3 modal verbs - can, must and may. These are the most commonly used modal verbs in the English language. The verb can is generally among the ten most used English words and not a single conversation is complete without it. The main meanings of these verbs are given in the table:

Examples of using:

He can swim fast.
He can swim fast.

I must be strong.
I must be strong.

You may call me tomorrow.
You can call me tomorrow.

She may be right.
Perhaps she's right.

In fact, each of these modal verbs has many meanings. Here I give the most common translation of them. You can learn in detail about all the meanings of the Big Three verbs using the following links:

But to use modal verbs in your speech, it is not enough to know their translation. You also need to learn how to correctly construct sentences with modal verbs.

Modal verbs in English: RULES of use.

Modal verbs in English behave differently than most regular verbs. To correctly construct sentences with modal verbs, you need to know several rules. Here are the basic rules for using modal verbs:

1. As already mentioned, a modal verb is always used in pairs with a semantic verb.

Moreover, the semantic verb is always taken in an indefinite form and the particle to is not placed before it. The combination of a modal and a semantic verb is called a modal predicate. In an affirmative sentence, the modal predicate is placed in the place of the usual predicate, that is, immediately after the subject.

Right:

I can speak Spanish.
I can speak Spanish.

You must help me.
You have to help me.

Wrong:

I can speak Spanish. You must help me.

2. Modal verbs do not change according to persons. The ending "-s" in the third person is not added to them.

Right:

She can speak English.
She can speak English.

He must help me.
He must help me.

Wrong:

She can speak English.
He must help me.

3. Modal verbs do not form the future tense.

If a sentence containing a modal verb refers to the future tense, this is usually clear from the context.

For example:

You must pass your exam later.
You must take the exam later.

I can go for a walk only tomorrow.
I can only go for a walk tomorrow.

4. Of all the modal verbs in the English language, only two have past tense forms. These forms are shown in the table:

To get a question from an affirmative sentence, you just need to take the modal verb out of the first place.

You can drive. - Can you drive?
Can you drive a car?

I must go. - Must I go?
I have to go?

6. Negative sentences are also formed without the auxiliary verb to do.

Just a negative particle not is placed immediately after the modal verb. At the same time, with the modal verb can the particle not is written together - cannot. The negative form of modal verbs in English is often shortened:

IN negative form many modal verbs take on the meaning of prohibition. Moreover, the severity of the prohibition depends on which modal verb is used:

may not - a softer form - “impossible”

cannot - the mildest possible prohibition - “you can’t”, “not desirable”

Examples:

You must not smoke in this room!
You are not allowed to smoke in this room!

Children may not go for a walk without parents.
Children should not go for walks without their parents.

You cannot call her. Wait 15 minutes.
Don't call her, wait 15 minutes.

There is an exception to the last two rules. The modal verb have to requires the auxiliary verb do in interrogatives and negative sentences.

It would probably be useful to remind you that modal verbs have to And ought to require to particles after themselves. Which is also an exception to the rule common to all modal verbs in the English language.

How often do you have to work on Sunday?
How often should you work on Saturdays?

Modal verbs in English - Complete list.

Are the three most common modal verbs not enough for you? It's time to dig deeper! Let's consider in order all the main modal verbs of the English language.

Modal verb can (could)

In affirmative sentences it is used to talk about physical/mental ability or ability to do something.

She can play piano.
She can play the piano.

Interrogative sentences express a request:

Can you repeat your questions?
Could you please repeat your questions?

In negative sentences, the modal verb can, in addition to the obvious meaning "can't/can't/can't" sometimes has the meaning of prohibition.

You can't lift this bag.
You can't lift this bag. (because it's too heavy)

You can't drive so fast.
You can't go that fast. (you are not allowed)

The modal verb can has a past tense form - could. In addition to the actual past tense, could is used in interrogative sentences to express a polite request.

I could play the violin.
I knew how to play the violin. (past tense)

Could you pass me pepper?
Could you pass me the pepper? (polite request)

Modal verb may(might)

If you look in the dictionary, you will find that the modal verb may is translated in the same way as the verb can - I can/can/can/can. But there is a difference between may and can, and it is significant. Unlike the verb can, the modal verb may does not express physical or mental ability, but permission to perform an action received from someone.

She may do what she wants.
She can do whatever she wants. (She's allowed to do what she wants)

The second meaning of the modal verb may - it allows make a guess(maybe I will, maybe I will).

I may visit you tomorrow.
I may visit you tomorrow.

In such sentences, may can be replaced with might. Using might instead of may does not speak of the past tense, as one might think, but of the speaker’s less confidence in the assumption being made.

Modal verb must

We use this modal verb to say that action must be performed. That is, when it comes to a sense of duty.

We must help our parents.
We must help our parents.

The modal verb must can also be used to make a guess. In this sense it is similar to the modal verb may. Using must instead of may indicates greater confidence in what the speaker is saying.

She must be a student.
She's probably a student.

Modal verb have to

The verb have to is similar in meaning to the modal verb must. He also talks about duty, necessity or obligation. The modal verbs must and have to differ in that:

• have to expresses an obligation related to external circumstances;
• must expresses an obligation associated with an internal need, a sense of duty or the personal opinion of the speaker.

Example sentences with modal the verb have to:

You have to work more.
You have to work harder.

Modal verb should

The modal verb should can be used to:
1. Give advice

You are ill. You should go to the clinic.
Are you ill. You need to go to the clinic.

2. Communicate an obligation or duty. In this meaning, the modal verbs should and must are similar, but should sounds softer or with a tinge of doubt that the action will be performed.

Your company should send us a report today.
Your company should send us a report today.

3. Talk about an expected action or an action that is possible with high probability.

It is night now. He shouldn't be at home.
It's night now. He must be home.

Modal verb ought to

Just like must, the modal verb ought to communicates that an action must be performed. But at the same time, a sentence with ought to sounds less categorical than a similar sentence with must and contains a hint of friendly recommendation or advice.

Modal verb need

Unlike other modal verbs in English, the verb need can serve not only as a modal verb, but also as a semantic verb.

The semantic verb need is translated as need. Use the semantic verb need when you say that you need something.

I need a good car.
I need a good car.

As a modal verb, need is used only in the negative form "need not" and is similar in meaning to "must not". The difference between the modal verbs need not and must not is as follows:

• must not speaks of a strict prohibition on performing an action;
• need not indicates that the action is not necessary.

For example:

You need not account to me.
You don't have to report to me.

Modal verb shall

This modal verb has several meanings. It can express:

• Promise
• warning
• threat

For example:

He shall do his work.
She will do her job. (Promise)

Don't give her my book. She shall lose it.
Don't give her my book. She will lose it. (warning)

Modal verb will (would)

The main meaning of the modal verb will in English is to express consent to perform some action.

I will pay off my debts.
I will pay my debts.

will has other meanings.

Synonyms of modal verbs.

Some modal verbs in English have synonyms. Synonyms of modal verbs are phrases that have the same meaning as a modal verb, but are conjugated and form tenses according to general rules.

As you remember, modal verbs cannot be used in the future tense. Therefore, in the future tense, the modal verb is replaced by the corresponding synonym. For example:

You will be able to understand Chinese.
You will be able to understand Chinese.

Modal verbs in English - exercises with answers.

If you have read this far, then you probably already know a lot about modal verbs. It's time to consolidate your knowledge by completing some practical exercises. You can find more exercises at this link.

EXERCISE 1. Put required verb instead of an ellipsis. To check the correct answer, click the “Correct Answer” button.

EXERCISE 2. Translate the sentences into English.

EXERCISE 3. Correct the mistake in the English sentences.

In English, they differ from other verbs in that they are not used independently and do not denote a specific action or
state, they reflect its modality, that is, the speaker’s attitude towards it. Together, the modal verb and the infinitive of the meaningful verb form a compound modal predicate.

I can swim. I can swim.

The speaker can evaluate the action as possible, necessary, permitted, requested, prohibited, ordered, unlikely, very probable, etc.

Can or May?

The use of the verbs can and may in modern English is often confusing. Once upon a time, according to the strict rules of English grammar
can expressed physical or mental ability, A
may – permission and approval. It was considered incorrect to use can in the meaning of permission.

Today the rules of language are not so defined. Already from the second half of the 19th century
can used in informal speech to express permission. IN
formal and official in communication situations the verb should be used may to request permission.

For example, in a conversation with a restaurant waiter it would be more advantageous to sound

May I have more salt, please?

As for prohibitions/denials , then use may not extremely NOT recommended. This applies to all styles.

Use may in such cases, although formally acceptable, it sounds unnatural. Educated people are more likely to say
"Can't I?" rather than “Mayn’t I?” or “May I not?” And even according to the strict rules of English grammar, the question “Why mayn’t I go to the disco?” sounds
wrong, one might say "Not
in English".

When is what used? Can or could, may or might?

CAN is used:

1. When expressing capabilities or possibilities
do something. (Indefinite Infinitive)

I can swim. You can play. / I can swim. You can play.

2. When do something.

I cannot swim. He cannot see / I can't swim. He can't see.

3. When the possibility that an action could have been denied
come true in reality. (Perfect Infinitive)

You cannot have done it. / It can’t be that you did this.

COULD is used:

1. When expression capabilities or abilities
in past . (Indefinite Infinitive)

They could swim. / They didn't know how to swim.

2. When expression denial of possibility or ability
taking any action in past .

She couldn't swim. / She didn't know how to swim.

3. When consumed indirect speech , depending from a verb in the past tense . (Indefinite Infinitive and Perfect Infinitive)

I said that you couldn't have done that. / I said you couldn't do it.

4. In the main part of conditional sentences.

In conditional sentences of the second type and third type (Indefinite Infinitive and Perfect Infinitive).

If he tried, he could do

If he had tried, he could have done it. / If he tried, he could do it.

MAY is used:

1. To express permission for any action (Indefinite Infinitive)

You may go home now. / Now you can go home.

2. To express an assumption: relating to the present and future (Indefinite Infinitive) or to the past (Perfect Infinitive)

It may rain today. / It might rain today.

She may have returned to Moscow. / She may have returned to Moscow.

MIGHT is used:

1. When using indirect speech depending on the verb in the past tense.

to express permission (Indefinite Infinitive) or express assumption (Indefinite Infinitive and Perfect Infinitive)

She said that he might take her cellphone. / She said he could take her phone.

He said that she might know their address. / He said that she might know their address.

2. In the main part of conditional sentences: in conditional sentences of the second (Indefinite Infinitive) and third type (Perfect Infinitive)

Using the phrase to BE ABLE TO

As you probably already noticed when considering the verb can , it has only two forms, these are - can and could , i.e. when expressed in the present or past tense. But how can we convey the meaning of this modal verb in other tenses?
forms? For this it has a synonym expressed by the combination "to be able to" . This phrase, like the verb can, denotes ability, skill.

I can swim = I am able to swim - I can (able) to swim.

BUT it wouldn't be that simple! When using this phrase it is necessary
consider the difference between a modal verb can and the expression itself
to be able to.

The point is that if we use to be able to in the present or past tense as a direct replacement can or could, then the very meaning of the entire sentence changes! In such a case, the combination shows that a person can or cannot do something in a particular case in question, at a certain point in time. Let's try to figure it out using an example, say, with the same verb swim. Let's say I can swim. And this morning, while going down the stairs, I twisted my leg, and that’s why today I can’t swim. But the fact that I twisted my leg did not change my ability to swim.

I can swim. But I’m not able to swim today. / I can swim. But today I am not able to swim.

What about other temporary forms? For example, how we will do something in the future.

I will be able to go to you tomorrow. / I can come see you tomorrow.

To give denial , particle is used not
by joining.

I am not able to... I will not (won’t) be able to... I was not (wasn’t) able to... etc.

It is necessary to remember

- With all personal pronouns, the modal verb does not change.

I,WE,YOU,THEY,HE,SHE,IT - can (cannot/can’t), could (couldn’t) - verb “ability” (do, play, see, come..)

— Between the modal verb and the verb “ability”
absent TO!

Statement of a question

In an interrogative sentence, the first place comes
, followed by 2.Modal verb, then 3.Agent and finally 4.Action verb.

(1)When (2)can (3)you (4)get home? / When can you come home?

Will you be able to give me your book? – Can you give me your book? (As you can see, in the case of the phrase be able to, the formulation of the question remains unchanged, as with a regular verb.)