Modals: can/can't, could, will, shall


Introduction - "can"

We use "can":

Form - "can"

We use "can" + infinitive of the main verb (without "to").

Positive I
You
We
They
She / He / It
can run very fast.
Negative can't
cannot

question Can I
you
we
they
he / she / it
run very fast?
answer Yes, can.
No, can't.
cannot.

Practice

Complete the sentences using the correct form of "can" and the verb in brackets:
.
1)
They    my car this week. (not repair)

 
2)
You    my pen. (borrow)

 
3)
   you    Russian? (speak)

 
4)
We    the bus. It's cheaper than the train. (take)

 

Introduction - "could"

We use "could":

Form - "could"

We use "could" + infinitive of the main verb (without "to").

Positive I
You
We
They
She / He / It
could buy the tickets.
Negative couldn't
could not

question Could I
you
we
they
he / she / it
buy the tickets?
answer Yes, could.
No, couldn't.

Practice

Complete the sentences using the correct form of "could" and the verb in brackets:
.
1)
We    to France next year. (go)

 
2)
   you    the bag upstairs, please? (take)

 
3)
I looked for the keys but I    them. (not find)

 
4)
I    very well when I was a child. (swim)

 

Further practice

Complete the sentences with the correct answer from a, b, c or d:
.
1)
They ____ the sea from their hotel room.
 

 

2)
We ____ inside the cathedral because it was closed.
 

 

3)
____ you ____ that noise?
 

 

4)
I ____ you last night because I went to the cinema.
 

 

5)
I ____ that box. It's too heavy.
 

 

6)
____ they ____ many languages when they were children?
 

 


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