Modals ability possibility

1. Modals Verbs

2. Ability Possibility
Can
I can see your
house from
my bedroom
window

3. Ability Possibility
Could
When I was a
child I could run
very fast
When I lived in New
York I could see the
Empire State building
from my window

4. Could vs. Was/were able to Can vs. Be able to
Be able to
We use could for general
ability:
He could beat anybody when
playing football
We use was/were able to to
say that somebody did
something in a specific
situation:
The fire spread quickly but
everybody was able to escape
Can is more informal and
usual than be able to.
Be able to can be used in
present, past, future, perfect
tenses, gerund and infinitive.
I’ll be able to practise my
english in London.
I’d like to be able to ski.