SimpleModalsCanCouldEnglishOnlineInc..pptx

https://pixabay.com/photos/books-bookstore-book-reading-1204029/shared under CC0
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SimpleModals–Can&Could
~Lunch&Learn~
CLBlevel 3-4
https://pixabay.com/photos/books-bookstore-book-reading-1204029/shared under CC0

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Lesson Vocabulary!
Term Definition
Base
verb
The most basic form of the verb, which does not have any ending added to it.
Modal
Verb
A verb that is used with another one –

SIMPLE MODALS: Can & Could
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What is a modal?
A modal is a verb (such as can, could, shall, should, ought to, will, or would) that is used with
another verb to talk about possibility, necessity, and permission.
(https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modal%20verb)

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Can & Could:
Can and could are modals used to talk about skill or ability:
I can drive.
She can speak 3 languages.
My grandfather could play guitar.

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https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/can-could-be-able-to

When to Use: Can
Purpose: We use “can”:
1. For general abilities (positive or negative) in the present or
in the future.
Examples:
I can speak French very well.
Can you pick up milk on the way home?
They can’t meet you for dinner on Friday.
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https://pixabay.com/photos/books-pages-story-stories-notes-1245690/ shared under CC0

When to Use: Can
Purpose: We use “can”:
2. For general statements (positive or negative) about what is
possible.
Examples:
It can be very cold here in winter. (= It is sometimes very cold here in
winter.)
You can easily get lost in these woods. (= People often get lost in
these woods.)
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When to Use: Can
Purpose: We use “can’t or cannot”:
1. For general statements about what is impossible.
Examples:
That news story can’t be true!
You cannot be serious!
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When to Use: Could
Purpose: We use “could”:
1. For general abilities in the past.
I could run faster when I was younger.
2. For specific abilities in the past in a negative sentence.
We couldn’t finish the work on time.
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When to Use: Could
Purpose: We use “could”:
3. For possibilities in the past, present or future.
They could come by train or car.
It could be very cold in Winnipeg in the winter.
4. For suggestions.
We could meet on the weekend if you like.
You could get pizza for dinner if you don’t want to cook.
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When to Use: Could
Purpose: We use “could have”:
5. For, saying someone had the ability or opportunity to do something,
but didn’t, or that something was possible but didn’t happen:
She could have studied in Paris if she wanted to.
It could have been the best vacation.
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When to Use: Can in questions
1. To ask for permission or make a request:
Can I borrow this book?
Can we go home now?
Can you bring the bill, please?
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When to Use: Could in questions
1. To ask for permission or make a request, but less direct/more polite:
Could I borrow this book?
Could we go home now?
Could you bring the bill, please?
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How to Use: Can and Could
To offer help (in casual spoken conversation):
Can I help you with that door?
Could I buy lunch today?
I can open the door for you.
I could drive you to the airport.
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https://pixabay.com/photos/books-bookstore-book-reading-shop-1204038/ shared under CC0
Let’spractice!
https://pixabay.com/photos/books-bookstore-book-reading-shop-1204038/ shared under CC0

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1. Bears ___________ be very dangerous.
2. You _________ have seen me at the concert. I was home all night.
Fill in the missing word:
can, can’t, could, couldn’t

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1. Bears ___can______ be very dangerous.
2. You _can’t/couldn’t_ have seen me at the concert. I was home all night.

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3. _________ you turn the music down? I _________ do my homework.
4. I _____________ get to work on time when the bus is late.

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3. Can/could you turn the music down? I can’t do my homework.
4. I can’t get to work on time when the bus is late.

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5. _________ you pick up some ice cream?
6. I __________ imagine living anywhere else.

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5. Could/can you pick up some ice cream?
6. I can’t/couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

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7. Yesterday I __________ see the moon but today I __________.
8. I _________ believe you called me a liar!

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7. Yesterday I couldn’t see the moon but today I can.
Yesterday I could see the moon but today I can’t.
8. I can’t believe you called me a liar!

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1. Bears can be very dangerous.
2. They can’t be here already. They only left home 10 minutes ago!
Is the sentence:
A fact about the past?
A general fact or statement?
A guess about the present or past?
An impossibility?

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1. Bears can be very dangerous.
A general fact
2. They can’t be here already. They only left home 10 minutes ago!
An impossibility
Is the sentence:
An impossibility?

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3. A hundred years ago, the flu could be very deadly.
4. Your keys could be in your jacket pocket.
Is the sentence:
An impossibility?

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3. A hundred years ago, the flu could be very deadly.
a fact about the past
4. Your keys could be in your jacket pocket.
a guess about the present or past
Is the sentence:
An impossibility?

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5. The bill can’t be correct! It’s too much!
6. You couldn’t have seen me yesterday. I was home all day.
Is the sentence:
An impossibility?

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5. The bill can’t be correct! It’s too much!
an impossibility
6. You couldn’t have seen me yesterday. I was home all day.
an impossibility
Is the sentence:
An impossibility?

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1. My father could play the violin.
2. My mother couldn’t drive until she was forty.
Is the sentence talking about:
Ability?
Permission?
Offering?
Requesting?

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1. My father could play the violin.
ability
2. My mother couldn’t drive until she was forty.
ability
Ability?
Permission?
Offering?
Requesting?

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3. Can I help you with that?
4. Can you get the door for me please?
Ability?
Permission?
Offering help?
Requesting?

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3. Can I help you with that?
offering help
4. Can you get the door for me please?
making a request
Ability?
Permission?
Offering help?
Requesting?

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5. Could you tell me what time it is?
6. Could I use your cell phone?
Ability?
permission?
Offering help?
Requesting?

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5. Could you tell me what time it is?
making a request
6. Could I use your cell phone?
asking permission
Ability?
Permission?
Offering help?
Requesting?

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7. Can you speak Portugese?
8. Can you understand what she is saying?
Ability?
Permission?
Offering help?
Request?

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7. Can you speak Portugese?
ability
8. Can you understand what she is saying?
ability
Ability?
Permission?
Offering help?
Requesting?

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9. What can I do for you?
10. Can I leave work early today?
Ability?
Permission?
Offering help?
Requesting?

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9. What can I do for you?
offering help
10. Can I leave work early today?
permission/making a request
Ability?
permission?
Offering help?
Making a request?

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11. Can I make a suggestion?
12. You can take a break now.
Ability?
Permission?
Offering help?
Making a request?

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11. Can I make a suggestion?
permission
12. You can take a break now.
permission
Ability?
Permission?
Offering help?
Making a request?

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13. Could you always play chess?
14. I could make you a birthday cake.
Ability?
Permission?
Offering help?
Making a request?

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13. Could you always play chess?
ability
14. I could do your homework.
offering help
Ability?
Permission?
Offering help?
Making a request?

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https://www.esl-lounge.com/student/grammar/1g101-elementary-can-could-gap-fill-exercise.php
More Practice:

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https://www.engblocks.com/grammar/exercises/modal-verbs/can-cant-could-couldnt/
More Practice:

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https://www.esl-lounge.com/student/grammar/1g190-elementary-can-could-multiple-choice-quiz.php
More Practice:

Questions?
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https://pixabay.com/photos/cup-of-coffee-laptop-office-macbook-1280537/ shared under CC0

HOMEWORK: The details:
1. Submit your homework to Lori on Skype: live:loramoren
2. After class, you have until the 11:59 pm the same day to complete the assignment.
3. I will correct the homework and offer feedback. 

Sources:
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https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/english-grammar-
reference/modal-verbs
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/english-grammar-
reference/can-could

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Thankyou!
Lori Morency
Skype: live:loramoren
livelearn.ca

Thankyou!
Blaine
broberts@myenglishonline.ca
livelearn.ca
1-204-946-5140
Website:
livelearn.ca
Email:
info@myenglishonline.ca

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