The document discusses the use of the modal verbs can and could to talk about abilities in the present and past tense. Can is used to talk about current abilities, such as "He can speak Chinese" while could is used to talk about past abilities like "Could you sleep well last night?". The document provides examples of positive and negative sentences as well as yes/no and wh- questions using can and could.

1. Can- can’t
Could-couldn’t

2. × A: Mike, can you
speak Spanish?
× B: No, I can't,
James. Can you?
× A: No, I can't, but I
want to learn.
× B: Yeah, me too.
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3. Abilities
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Modal
verb
Past
“Could”
Present
“Can”

4. We use can to talk about
our abilities:
Peter is from China.
He can speak Chinese.
He can't
speak French.
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5. I am having a
party
tomorrow
night.
Jim can come
but
Lola can't.
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6. Last night,
I couldn't do m
y homework.
We use could to talk
about past abilities:
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7. Could you sleep well last night?
I couldn't.
And a lot of users
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8. Can / Could + BaseVerb
She can speak Spanish.
Zach couldn't understand the
movie.
I can help her
Let’s start with the first set of slides
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9. POSITIVE
SENTENCES
9

10. 10
I
You
He
She
It
We
They
can
could
play soccer
well.

11. Negative Sentences
11
I
You
He
She
It
We
They
cannot / can't
could
not / couldn't
play soccer
well.

12. Yes / No Questions
12
Can
Could
I
you
he
she
it
we
they
play soccer
well?

13. Short Answers
13
Yes, I can.
No,
I cannot / can't.
Yes, I could.
No, I could
not / couldn't.

14. Wh Questions
14
What
sports
can
could
I
you
he
she
it
we
they
play?

15. Thanks!
Any questions?
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