This document discusses English modal verbs used to describe abilities. It explains that "can" is used for present abilities, "could" is used for past abilities or possibilities, and "be able to" is used to talk about a specific past event or ability. It provides examples of sentences using each modal verb to demonstrate talking about abilities in the present, past, and a specific past event. The document concludes by asking the reader to practice using all the modal verbs to discuss abilities in different tenses.

1. My abilities

2. Well, in english we use
…to say that we are able to do something.

4. …my can only works for the
present.

5. So we have another modals to help
out.

7. We use could to talk about an ability somebody
had in the past, but… was/were able to to talk
about a specific event in the past.
Examples
 I could ride a bike when I was six.
 Last Saturday evening was cool, I felt good and I was able
to cycle 10 miles.
 He could speak French quite well.
 He was able to speak French to the policeman to explain
what had happened.
 They could write computer programmes.
 They were able to write a computer programme which solved
his problem.

8. exactly Could is also used for
possibility!

10. I will be able to….

11. Let’s put in paper our abilities using all
our available modals so we cover all
tenses.