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Ability “COULD” FOR PAST ABILITIES

“Could” is the past form of “can”
and is used to talk about an ability
“Can” is a modal verb that describes what someone is See also: in the past. “When” plus a time
able to do. It is used in different forms to describe past Present simple 1 setting can be used to say when
and present abilities. Future with “will” 18 someone had the ability.
The time frame can be
set with a phrase about
an age, day, or year.
“CAN / CANNOT / CAN’T”
“Can” goes between the subject and the main verb.
The verb after “can” goes in its base form. Describes a present ability. Describes a past ability.

“Can” is always the same. It doesn’t Base form of verb. FURTHER EXAMPLES
change with the subject.

The negative form of “can” is “cannot” or “can’t.”
TIPIP
T
The long negativ
The long negative e Negative form.
orm “
cannot
f form “cannot” is ” is
always spelled as ys spelled as
alwa
one wor
The more common, one word, not d, not
two words.ds.
short form of “cannot.” two wor
FURTHER EXAMPLES “CAN” IN THE FUTURE
It is not grammatically
possible to talk about
the future using “can.”
“Will be able to”
is used instead.

“Will can” is incorrect.

HOW TO FORM
The negative
SUBJECT “CAN / CANNOT / CAN’T” BASE FORM OBJECT is formed with
“not able to”
or “unable to.”

“Will be unable to” can also
be used, but it’s less common.

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