📝 Created by: El Arby Ameur | 📅 August 2026 | 🌐 lesson.tn
📖 Estimated reading time: 8 minutes | Word count: ~1000 words
💪 Modal Verbs of Ability: Can, Could, Be Able To
Level: A2-B1 | Focus: Expressing Ability
Grammar
Modal Verbs
modal verbs
ability
can could
📌 CAN - Present Ability
I can swim. / She can play piano. / They can speak French.
📌 COULD - Past Ability
I could run fast when I was young.
📌 BE ABLE TO - All Tenses
I am able to swim. / I was able to swim. / I will be able to swim.
Quick Comparison
| Tense | Modal | Example |
|---|
| Present | can / am able to | I can swim. |
| Past (general) | could / was able to | I could run fast. |
| Past (specific) | was able to (not could) | I was able to pass the exam. |
| Future | will be able to (not can) | I will be able to drive. |