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

Home ➞ Grammar ➞ Grammar worksheets and test ➞ Beginner ➞ Modals: can/can't, could, will, shall

Introduction - "can"

We use "can":

to describe ability
- "Clara can speak French very well."
to ask for, give or refuse permission
- "They can finish the report next week."
to make requests
- "Can we rearrange the meeting?"
to make suggestions
- "We can go to the cinema if you like."

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.
answer	No,		can't. cannot.

Practice

Complete the sentences using the correct form of "can" and the verb in brackets:
.

They my car this week. (not repair)

You my pen. (borrow)

you Russian? (speak)

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

Introduction - "could"

We use "could":

as the past tense of "can"
- "I could speak Spanish well when I was at school."
- "They couldn’t eat at the restaurant because they didn’t book first."
- "Could you see the moon last night?"
for possibilities and options
to make polite requests.

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.
answer	No,		couldn't.

Practice

Complete the sentences using the correct form of "could" and the verb in brackets:
.

We to France next year. (go)

you the bag upstairs, please? (take)

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

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

Create a free Getting Started account

Grammar

Quickly identify and focus on grammar issues:

Improve your grammar

Vocabulary

Vocabulary exercises:

Business English vocabulary exercises

Expand your vocabulary using our three vocabulary trainers:

Practice your spelling using our three spelling tests:

Practice vocabulary relating to graphs and charts:

Graphs and charts practice

Learn vocabulary

Reading exercises

Improve your reading skills:

Go to reading exercises

Listening exercises

Improve your listening skills:

Go to listening exercises

Dictation exercises

Practice your listening skills and spelling using our dictation exercises:

Complete dictation exercises

Video lessons

Focus on specific areas of business English using our video lessons:

Take a video lesson

Create an account

Access by account type:

	Getting Started
	Free
	Create account
Vocabulary
Business English vocabulary exercises - save your score	✓
General vocabulary trainer – save your score, access audio files	✓
Business vocabulary trainer	‒
Idiom trainer	‒
Spelling tests	‒
Graphs and charts practice	‒
Grammar
Grammar test - save your score	✓
Verb conjugation practice	‒
Conditionals practice	‒
Reading exercises
Reading exercises	‒
Listening exercises
Listening practice questions - save your score	✓
Listening exercises	‒
Dictation exercises
3 scenario-based exercises	✓
52 additional scenario-based exercises	‒
Focus on grammar	‒
Numbers	‒
Video lessons
4 video lessons	✓
10 additional video lessons	‒

Getting Started
Free
Create account

Vocabulary
Business English vocabulary exercises - save your score
✓
General vocabulary trainer – save your score, access audio files
✓
Business vocabulary trainer
‒
Idiom trainer
‒
Spelling tests
‒
Graphs and charts practice
‒

Grammar
Grammar test - save your score
✓
Verb conjugation practice
‒
Conditionals practice
‒

Reading exercises
Reading exercises
‒

Listening exercises
Listening practice questions - save your score
✓
Listening exercises
‒

Dictation exercises
3 scenario-based exercises
✓
52 additional scenario-based exercises
‒
Focus on grammar
‒
Numbers
‒

Video lessons
4 video lessons
✓
10 additional video lessons
‒

Home ➞ Grammar ➞ Grammar worksheets and test ➞ Beginner ➞ Modals: can/can't, could, will, shall