CAN, COULD and BE ABLE TO - Part Two

Welcome back to part two of our video on 'can', 'could' and 'be able to'.

I'll put a link to part one here in case you haven't seen it.

Last week we looked at the modal verb, 'can'.

And this week we're starting with another modal verb, 'could'.

We're going to look at how we use it to talk about past ability, and then we'll look at

how we use all these verbs to talk about the future.

We use 'can' to talk about abilities people have in the present.

'Could' is similar, but we use it to talk about past abilities.

For example, when I lived in Japan, I could speak some Japanese.

It was a long time ago and I've forgotten it.

I can’t speak Japanese now, but I could in the past.

When I was younger I could do a hundred push ups.

Now I can only do ten.

This coffee machine can make six big cups.

Our old machine could only make three.

'Could' is the past form of 'can' in these situations.

But there’s a tricky thing about 'could'.

If we’re talking about general abilities in the past like these, we say 'could'.

But if we’re talking about a particular occasion, a one-off situation, we say ‘was

able to’.

This mouse is a problem.

I’ve ordered you a new one from Amazon.

Oh, thank you.

How much do I owe you?

Nothing.

I was able to log in with your password.

Is it working now?

Yes, I was able to fix it.

Great.

Another thing we say here is ‘managed to’.

It means the same as 'was able to'.

Hey, I think I’ve managed to fix it.

Oh well done.

He was able to fix it!

Because it’s a one-off situation, we don’t say 'could' here.

For general abilities - could.

For one-offs - was able to.

But hang on, because negative sentences are different.

In the negative, we can say 'wasn't able to' or 'couldn’t'.

I couldn’t fix it.

Wow, that’s weird.

Let’s look at that again.

To talk about a general ability or skill we had in the past, we say 'could'.

When I was younger, I could do a hundred push ups.

But if it’s a one-off situation we say 'was able to'.

Is it working now?

Yes, I was able to fix it.

Great.

Unless it’s a negative sentence.

Then we say 'wasn’t able to' or 'couldn’t'.

So both are possible.

I couldn’t fix it.

Phew!

OK, so that’s the past.

Now what about the future?

Let’s start with 'can'.

Is there a future form of can?

Can you say ‘I will can’?

No!

If you want to say 'will', use 'be able to'.

Any questions?

Yes doctor.

Will I be able to play the piano after the operation?

Why, of course.

That’s great because I never could before.

So ‘will I can’, no.

But ‘will I be able to’, yes!

Easy huh?

OK.

Next question.

Do we ever use 'can' to talk about the future?

Well, yes.

In fact we use it a lot when we’re making future arrangements.

So, how about Thursday?

I can meet you on Friday but not Thursday.

OK, let’s do it Friday.

So we’re using 'can' to say what’s possible in the future here.

And we could also say 'will be able to'.

They mean the same thing.

'Be able to’ is more formal and we normally say 'can'.

OK, so that’s arrangements.

Now what about skills and abilities?

Well, that’s a little different.

We use ‘can’ to talk about skills we have now, but not skills we will have in the future.

So we say 'can' when we’re talking about a present skill.

But when we’re talking about a skill or ability we don’t have yet, we use ‘be

able to’, not 'can'.

I can only do ten push ups now.

But if I practice everyday, I’ll be able to do twenty.

So here’s a question.

Could we say ‘can’ here instead of ‘be able to’?

No, the thing is Jay doesn’t have this ability yet.

We have to say ‘will be able to’.

OK, we’ve nearly finished.

We just need to look at 'could'.

Do we use 'could' to talk about the future?

Is that possible?

Yes, it is.

Oh.

Are you going out?

Yes.

Well, take this umbrella.

It could rain.

Thank you.

'Could' means the same as 'may' or 'might' here.

It may rain or it may not.

It’s not certain.

We just use 'could' with this meaning, and not 'can'.

So we use 'could' to talk about a future possibility that’s not certain.

Oh Jay, you bought lottery tickets?

Yeah.

They’re a waste of money.

No they’re not.

We could win ten million dollars.

If things are just a chance and not a certainty, we say ‘could’.

And that’s why we often use 'could' to make suggestions.

I’m bored.

I have nothing to do.

Well, you could tidy up the stock room.

Or I could work on my plans for world domination.

Well, there’s a thought.

When we make a suggestion like this, we don’t know if the other person will do it or not.

And when we have ideas like this, they’re just ideas.

Possibilities, but not certainties.

And that’s it!

We've covered a lot of grammar with these verbs.

They're not verbs you can learn just like that.

So when you have time, come back and watch the two parts of this video again.

If you keep practising you’ll be able to use all these verbs correctly.

So until next Friday, bye!