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12.2 Ability: Be Able To

Statements
Subject Be (Not) Able To Base Form
am
I
was
You are able to attend the performance.
We were not able to understand the presenter very well.
He is
She was

1. You can also use be (not) able to + a base They’re able to read the Chinese text.
form of a verb to express ability. I’m not able to hear the speaker.
2. Be able to has the same general meaning We were able to watch the show recently.
as can, but it can be used in different past, She isn’t going to be able to finish the class.
present, and future verb forms. He’ll be able to stay until Friday.
3. Use will be able to for a future ability that will ✓ We’ll be able to speak French after the course.
be new or learned; do not use can. ✗ We can speak French after the course.
If the ability is true or possible now, use can I can meet you after work.
or will be able to. I’ll be able to meet you after work.
4. Remember: To form Yes/No questions with Is she able to talk now?
be, put the form of be before the subject. Were you able to finish the project?
To form Wh- questions, put the Wh- word + a What are you able to see?
form of be before the subject. Why wasn’t she able to go?

6 Complete the sentences. Use the correct present, past, or future form of be able to or be not
able to.

1. Art is not what you see; it is what you are able to make other people see.

2. The artist hopes his new painting bring attention to the problem
of poverty.

3. A: What songwriters do with a three-minute song?

B: They make people think and feel strong emotions.
4. Beethoven hear, but he create beautiful music.

5. Because of computers, artists of the future work in new ways.

6. The lead actor is in the hospital, so he appear in tonight’s

performance.

7. The director’s last movie influence people’s opinions about the horrors
of war.
8. Nowadays, people see operas in movie theaters for a low price. Before,

many people experience them because they were so expensive.

324 Modals: Part 1
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